Methods of inserting a lubricant free stopper into a lubricant free syringe barrel or lubricant free cartridge tube is disclosed. The method includes (1) inserting a stopper with a sealing rib into a placement region of a vacuum chamber, (2) creating a seal between the vacuum chamber and a syringe barrel or a cartridge tube, (3) maneuvering the stopper into a proximal end of the syringe barrel or cartridge tube by a first differential pressure and/or an insertion rod, (4) maneuvering the stopper through the barrel by second differential pressure and/or an insertion rod, (5) optionally sealing a pressure sealing cap to the proximal end of the vacuum chamber, (6) removing the vacuum chamber, insertion rod, and, if present, the pressure sealing cap. The methods are lubricant free or substantially lubricant free. The vacuum chamber may be electropolished and/or extrude honed.

The disclosure relates to a capsule filling machine for filling two-piece capsules that each include a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part. The capsule filling machine includes a measuring device, the measuring device including a capacitive measuring system. The measuring device is downstream of the closing station. The capacitive measuring system includes a measuring section, along which the mass of the filled, closed capsule can be measured via the capacitive measuring system. The measuring device includes a guide device for the closed capsule, the guide device being configured to convey the filled, closed capsule from the capsule segment to the measuring section of the capacitive measuring system.

An apparatus for transferring a chosen quantity of medication from a vial to a container under sterile conditions is described. The present invention further facilitates dissolving solid medications contained in the vial or diluting concentrated medications contained in the vial, and transferring the resulting solutions to the container. The container may be an intravenous infuser.

Medical device assemblies capable of aspirating liquid into a syringe barrel or other medical devices while evacuating any air from the syringe are described. An exemplary medical device includes a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within either the stopper or the plunger rod. Described is a medical device including a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within chamber between the stopper and plunger rod wherein the plunger rod includes a sealing edge and is moveable relative to the stopper. Exemplary medical devices may include a vent for allowing air that permeates through the porous portion to escape to atmosphere. Methods for aspirating a syringe barrel with a liquid are also provided.

This invention relates to a fluid delivery apparatus, system and method, in particular the use of elastic bands to generate the force required to push fluid out from a container. The fluid that is delivered from the container maybe prefilled and stored prior to its actuation by the elastic band driver or it could be filled just before use. In one embodiment disclosed, a prefilled option would require the user to attach an appropriate extension tubing that acts as a flow control tube to the fluid container which in one embodiment is tubular shaped. In the application where the device is filled just before use, the fluid container that would be engaged with the actuating housing is presented with a fixed rate flow tube. The selection of a particular device configuration replaces the need for programming a flow rate into an electronic syringe pump.

A robot system includes a multi-jointed robot, a syringe actuator which pulls and pushes a plunger of a syringe having a needle; and a controller which controls the multi jointed robot to handle a vessel storing a liquid and the syringe and controls the syringe actuator. The controller includes a first control module which controls the multi-jointed robot such that the needle of the syringe punctures a cap of the vessel, a second control module which controls the syringe actuator such that the air in the syringe is sent into the vessel by pushing the plunger in a state where the vessel is positioned on an upper side of the syringe and a tip portion of the needle is positioned on an upper side of the liquid in the vessel after the first control module controls the multi-jointed robot, and a third control module which controls the syringe actuator such that the liquid in the vessel is absorbed through the needle by pulling the plunger in a state where the tip portion of the needle is positioned in the liquid in the vessel after the second control module controls the syringe actuator.

A closure for a pharmaceutical vial. The closure comprises an aluminum foil with an inductively meltable adhesive, an elastic seal, and a cap. The cap has an opening through which a perforating cannula can be inserted.

A method of sterilizing a prefilled syringe comprises assembling a syringe assembly and performing at least one ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization procedure cycle. The assembling step includes inserting a tip cap at a first end of a plunger, filling a non-glass barrel with sterilization sensitive material at a second end of the barrel, and inserting the plunger into the barrel at a second end to seal the sterilization sensitive material within the barrel. The EtO sterilization procedure cycle comprises undergoing a preprocessing stage, a wash and conditioning stage, an EtO sterilization stage and a wash and post exposure stage. Upon completing the EtO sterilization procedure cycle, a resultant pH of the sterilization-sensitive material does not exceed an acceptable pH range as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia. The disclosure also discusses inserting an assembled prefilled syringe into a procedure tray prior to performing the EtO sterilization procedure cycle.

A system for the sterile filling of containers for pharmaceutical products, which includes a device for sterilizing containers and a machine for filling sterilized containers, wherein the device for sterilizing containers includes at least one autoclave, and wherein the system includes an automated container-accumulation device and means for automatically transporting the containers sterilized in the autoclave from said autoclave to the container-filling machine via said container-accumulation device.

A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.