WO2010078651A1

WO2010078651A1 - Fluid transfer device

Info

Publication number: WO2010078651A1
Application number: PCT/CA2010/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Raymond; Daniel Macdonald
Original assignee: Duoject Medical Systems Inc.
Priority date: 2009-01-09
Filing date: 2010-01-07
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: CA2649160A1

Abstract

A transfer device for transferring a liquid from a first container to a second container which comprises a first member (12) having an inner cavity (28) within an exterior housing (24) and a second member (16) designed to fit within said interior cavity (28), the second member (16) having a needle (64) fixed thereon with a first end (66) of the needle (64) extending exteriorly of the second member (16) and a second end (68) extending interiorly thereof, a cartridge holder (20) which is secured to an upper portion of the first member (12) whereby a container (110) may be placed within the second member (16) to have a septum (116) thereof pierced by the second end (68) of the needle (64) while a cartridge (100) placed on the cartridge holder (20) will have a piston (104) pierced by the first end (66) of the needle (64) to establish fluid contact (110) between the container (110) and cartridge (100).

Description

FLUID TRANSFER DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a transfer device for transferring fluid from a first container to a second container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is often desirable to transfer a fluid from a first container to a second container. One example of such a requirement is when a pharmaceutical fluid is supplied in a first or donor container while a second or receiving container is required for the final use of the pharmaceutical product. While one could attempt to fill the second container on known filling equipment, frequently the receiving container is of a structure or configuration not readily adapted to existing filling equipment. To modify the filling equipment and gain approval therefore is a long and expensive process. Accordingly it is frequently desirable to have a device which can make the transfer from the first container to the second container in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner.

A further occasion for transferring fluid (usually liquid) to a second container is for the reconstitution of a drug. Thus, a dried form of the drug may be supplied in the second container and it is desirable to transfer the liquid from the first container to reconstitute the drug.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer device suitable for transferring fluid from a first container to a second container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer device comprising a first member having an exterior housing, an interior cavity within the exterior housing , and an upper post member at a distal end of the first member, a second member designed to fit within the interior cavity of the first member, the second member having a needle retained at a distal end thereof, a first end of the needle extending exteriorly of the second member and a second end of the needle extending interiorly of the second member, and a cartridge holder, the cartridge holder being secured to an upper portion of the first member, the arrangement being such that a container may be placed within the second member to have a septum thereof pierced by the second end of the needle, and a cartridge placed on the cartridge holder will have a piston pierced by the first end of the needle to establish fluid contact between the container and the cartridge to permit transfer of fluid therebetween.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer arrangement for transferring a fluid between containers, the transfer assembly comprising a first donor container, a receiving container, a first member having an exterior housing, an interior cavity within the exterior housing, and an upper post member at a distal end of the first member, a second member located within the interior cavity of the first member, the second member having a needle retained at a distal end thereof, a first end of the needle extending exteriorly of the second member and a second end of the needle extending interiorly of the second member, the donor container being mounted interiorly of the second member a cartridge holder secured to an upper portion of the first member, the receiving container being mounted in the holder, the receiving container having a piston therein, the piston being located proximate a neck of the receiving container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transfer device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Figure 5 is an exploded view illustrating the various components of the transfer device along with the containers;

Figures 6a and 6b are side sectional views of the device as it may be used with an automated mechanism for effecting the transfer of fluid between the containers;

Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating assembly of the transfer device;

Figure 8 illustrates a partial assembly of the device;

Figure 9 is a side sectional view showing the insertion of the donor container into the transfer device;

Figures 10 to 14 are side sectional views illustrating operation of the device; and

Figure 15 illustrates the completion of the transfer of the fluid to the recipient container and removal thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a transfer device for transferring fluid from a first donor container to a second receiving container and which transfer device is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

Transfer device 10 includes a first member 12, a sleeve 14, a second member 16, an O-ring 18, and a cartridge holder generally designated by reference numeral 20. First member 12 includes a lower cylindrical portion 24 which has a window or opening 26 therein for providing visual access to an interior cavity 28. At the upper end of lower cylindrical portion 24, there is provided an inwardly extending horizontal wall 36 on which there is mounted a cylindrical post 34. Post 34 is hollow in nature and thus has an interior cavity which communicates with cavity 28. A first leg 30 and a parallel second leg 32 extend upwardly to receive cartridge holder 20 as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

Sleeve 14 is formed with plurality of circumferential ribs 44 to provide a bellows type structure. Sleeve 14 is mounted over cylindrical post 34.

Second member 16 includes a cylindrical body 48. At the upper distal end thereof, there is provided a first cylindrical portion 50 which terminates in a second cylindrical portion 52. O-ring 18 fits over first cylindrical portion 50.

Second member 16 also includes a lower flange 54 and an intermediate flange 56. Mounted on the opposite side from flanges 54 and 56 is a protrusion 58.

Interiorly, second member 16 has a lower latch 60 which extends diagonally inwardly from body 48 and an upper latch 62 which extends inwardly from an upper portion of body 48. A protrusion 63 is also provided. A needle 64 is mounted within cylindrical portions 50, 52 and has first upper piercing end 66 extending exteriorly of second member 16 and a second lower piercing end 68 which extends exteriorly of body 48.

Cartridge holder 20 includes a top wall 76, a bottom wall 78, and a side wall 80 which define a cavity 81. A downwardly extending leg 82 has a plurality of protrusions 84 formed on either side thereof for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.

A vent member 86 fits within cavity 81 and has a base 88 with end 21 and a diagonally extending plate 90. A vent tube 92 has a needle 94 mounted therein with a sheath 96 extending thereabout. A hydrophobic membrane 108 covers vent tube 92 to permit the passage of gas therethrough while preventing the passage of liquid.

An upper or receiving cartridge is generally designated by reference numeral 100. Receiving cartridge 100 includes a cylindrical body 102 having a piston 104 mounted therein. For original filling purposes, piston 104 is located proximate the distal or upper end of cartridge 100. A probiscus 106 is provided; the arrangement is similar to that shown in U.S. Patent Publication 2008/0215030, Inventor Kenneth Owen Ritsher, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

A lower or donor cartridge 110 may be a standard 3 ml glass cartridge as is well known in the art. Donor cartridge 110 includes a piston 112 and has a recessed neck 120 as is conventional. A cap 114 may be utilized in conjunction with a septum 116 which is designed to be pierced by lower piercing end 68 of needle 64.

In use, and as is shown in Figures 7 to 15, the assembly is connected with cartridge holder 20 being connected to first member 12. Leg 82 of cartridge holder 20 is slid downwardly between legs 30 and 32 such that protrusions 84 will engage apertures in legs 30, 32.

Vent member 86 is assembled by placing the vent sheath 96 over needle 94 and vent member 86 is slid within cavity 81. Naturally, this assembly of the vent member may occur prior to placement of cartridge holder 20 on first member 12.

Sleeve 14 is then placed over cylindrical post 34. The pre-assembled cartridge 100 may be then snapped into place in cartridge holder 20 whereby needle 94 will pierce sheath 96 and a resealable portion of probiscus 106 when end 21 is moved. Donor cartridge 110 is then slid within second member 16 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The original engagement and retention is provided by lower latch 60 as may be seen in Figure 10. This will prevent withdrawal of donor cartridge 110.

A plunger rod 124 may be attached to piston 112 and typically, this may be done by means of a screwthreaded arrangement. Alternatively, the device could use an automated system as shown in Figures 6a and 6b and which will be referred to hereinbelow.

Continued advancement of donor cartridge 110 will cause the same to be moved upwardly and subsequently grasped and held by upper latch 62. Upon this movement, upper piercing end 66 of needle or cannula 64 will pierce piston 104 of receiving cartridge 100 while second piercing end 68 of cannula 64 will pierce septum 116 of donor cartridge 110. A continued movement will then cause transfer of the liquid from donor cartridge 110 to receiving cartridge 100 following which the same may be removed as seen in Figure 15.

As set forth above, the transfer device of the present invention is primarily suited for transferring a liquid from a donor container to a receiving container. The transfer device could, however, be used for reconstitution of a drug if so desired.

As used in here, the terms "upper" and "lower" are merely used for ease of explanation and the device may be oriented in any manner desired. Similarly, the term "distal" refers to the end of the device having the receiving container located thereat.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate use of the device of the present invention in an automated arrangement. The device shown therein is described in Canadian Patent Application S.N. 2,662,331, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The automated device illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b is designed to receive the transfer device 10 of the present invention. The cartridge pack is placed in the apparatus and retained by means of a metal clasp 282. The device utilizes preloaded springs 222 which will act on a pusher rod 276. On placement of the cartridge pack in position, flange 54 will release a stopper 218 which will permit the activation of pusher rod 276. The original pushing motion is supplied by closing of a cover 230 and movement of an S-shaped rod 228 to cause engagement of the donor container within the second member.

It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1) A transfer device comprising: a first member (12) having an exterior housing (24), an interior cavity (28) within said exterior housing (24) , and an upper post member (34) at a distal end of said first member; a second member (16) designed to fit within said interior cavity (28) of said first member (12), said second member (16) having a needle (64) retained at a distal end thereof, a first end (66) of said needle (64) extending exteriorly of said second member (16) and a second end (68) of said needle (64) extending interiorly of said second member (16), and a cartridge holder (20), said cartridge holder (20) being secured to an upper portion of said first member (12), the arrangement being such that a container (110) may be placed within said second member to have a septum (116) thereof pierced by said second end (68) of said needle (64), and a cartridge (100) placed on said cartridge holder (20) will have a piston (104) pierced by said first end (66) of said needle (64) to establish fluid contact between said container (110) and said cartridge (100) to permit transfer of fluid therebetween.

2) The transfer device of Claim 1 further including a needle sheath (122) extending about said second end (68) of said needle (64).

3) The transfer device of Claim 2 further including a sleeve (14) placed about said upper post, said sleeve being flexible and having a plurality of circumferential ribs (44) formed thereon.

4) The transfer device of Claim 1 further including at least one aperture (26) formed in said exterior housing of said first member (12), said aperture (26) permitting visual access to the interior cavity.

5) The transfer device of Claim 2 further including a first latch (60) formed on said second member (16), said first latch (60) extending inwardly and upwardly into the interior of said second member (16).

6) The transfer device of Claim 5 further including a second latch (62) located upwardly of said first latch (60), said second latch (62) extending inwardly and being arranged to retain a neck (120) of said container (110).

7) The transfer device of Claim 6 further including first and second legs (30, 32) extending upwardly from said exterior housing (24) of said first member (12), and a leg (82) extending downwardly from said cartridge holder, said leg 82 being secured between said legs (30, 32).

8) A transfer arrangement for transferring a fluid between containers, said transfer assembly comprising: a first donor container (110); a receiving container (100); a first member (12) having an exterior housing (24), an interior cavity (28) within said exterior housing (24), and an upper post member (34) at a distal end of said first member (12); a second member (16) located within said interior cavity (28) of said first member (12), said second member (16) having a needle (64) retained at a distal end thereof, a first end (66) of said needle (64) extending exteriorly of said second member (16) and a second end (68) of said needle (64) extending interiorly of said second member (16), said donor container (110) being mounted interiorly of said second member; a cartridge holder (20) secured to an upper portion of said first member (12), said receiving container (100) being mounted in said holder (20), said receiving container (100) having a piston therein, said piston (104) being located proximate a neck of said receiving container.

9) The transfer device of Claim 8 further including a needle sheath (122) extending about said second end (68) of said needle (64).

10) The transfer device of Claim 9 further including a sleeve (14) placed about said upper post, said sleeve being flexible and having a plurality of circumferential ribs (44) formed thereon.

11) The transfer device of Claim 8 further including at least one aperture (26) formed in said exterior housing of said first member, said aperture (26) permitting visual access to the interior cavity.

12) The transfer device of Claim 9 further including a first latch (60) formed on said second member (16), said first latch (60) extending inwardly and upwardly into the interior of said second member (16).

13) The transfer device of Claim 12 further including a second latch (62) located upwardly of said first latch (60), said second latch (62) extending inwardly and being arranged to retain a neck of said donor container (110).

14) The transfer arrangement of Claim 7 wherein said donor container (110) is a 3 ml bottle.