Provided is a pressure equalizing device for facilitating drug reconstitution in a closed system. The pressure equalizing device includes a container for attachment to a receptacle, to permit pressure equalization between the container and the receptacle. The container includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The device further includes a vent channel extending between the first chamber and a distal opening of the vent channel. In accordance with the invention, when the receptacle is connected to the pressure equalizing device, the vent channel establishes direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the receptacle. Additionally, a longitudinal axis of the pressure equalizing device is configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle when the pressure equalizing device is attached to the receptacle.

The invention relates to a device and a method for connecting a vial [1] to a container or to a fluid line and transferring the contents of a vial [1] to a container or to a fluid line, wherein the device has a first holder [4] which is suitable for accommodating a connecting device [8], a second holder [5] which is suitable for accommodating a vial [1], an actuating means [7] and a connecting device [8] which consists of an annular housing [13], an inside part [12] having at least one puncture device [14] and a tube connection [16], wherein the annular housing [13] of the connecting device [8] can be constructed to be rotatable about the inside part [12] in the function of a valve, so that by rotation of the housing [13] the flow paths of the connecting device [8] can be opened and closed.

An apparatus to preserve liquid from a medicine vial may include a vial coupling member forming a vial coupling member cavity and a container forming a cavity. The apparatus may further include a first fluid pathway forming a first lumen that is in fluid communication with the vial coupling member cavity and the cavity and a second fluid pathway forming a second lumen that is in fluid communication with the vial coupling member cavity and the cavity. The vial coupling member cavity, the cavity, the first lumen, and the second lumen may form a sterile environment that is sealed from contaminants in an ambient environment. The apparatus may include a disengaging member configured to permit the container to disengage from the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway while permanently sealing at least one of the first lumen or the second lumen.

A cartridge for dispensing a pre-measured buffering agent together with a medical fluid such as dental anesthetic. The cartridge includes a sharp piercing element at one end, a frangible barrier proximate the piercing element, and a traveling closure. The buffering solution is in a chamber between the barrier and the closure. When loaded into a syringe and subjected to operating pressures, the barrier is pierced, enabling the buffering solution to mix with the medical fluid. Continued pressure propels a desired, controlled mixture into a tissue of a patient. A dye may be included for visual confirmation of mixing. The invention may be regarded as the cartridge, a syringe having the cartridge, or a kit, with or without a syringe, or cartridges having closures of different types.

An adapter is provided for connecting a container of flowable material, such as enteral feed formula in a laminated paper container, to a feeding tube to enable bolus feeding. The adapter can transfer the flowable material from the container by piercing the container and/or a cover of the container. The adapter can form a fluid-tight friction seal on the container. In some embodiments, the adapter has a reusable tube vent long enough to be positioned in the air gap of the container when the container is inverted by a user.

A pre-loaded container and a method of manufacturing a preloaded vial is provided wherein one or more active agents is lyophilized within the vial cap and the vial cap is then sealed onto a vial retaining a suitable diluent to form the pre-loaded vial. Lyophilizing the one or more active agents within the vial cap ensures that the one or more active agents are retained in sterile conditions, that the lyophilized one or more active agents and the diluent may be stored efficiently, and that the one or more active agents may be solubilized in a sterile and efficient manner.

A closure for dispensing one or more active agents into a container comprises a sealed or sealable chamber having a breakable wall and a hollow piston slidably mounted in a piston guide. Said hollow piston comprises an outer wall having an end in the chamber and at least one ventilation aperture. Said end has a cutting formation. Said hollow piston is slidable in the piston guide between a ventilation position in which the at least one ventilation aperture allows ventilation of the chamber and a sealed position in which the at least one ventilation aperture is sealed to prevent ventilation of the chamber and a deployed position in which the cutting formation has broken through at least a portion of the breakable wall. The outer wall has a retaining formation which engages with the piston guide to releasably resist sliding of the hollow piston between the ventilation position and the sealed position and the deployed position. The hollow piston may have an outer wall, and said outer wall has an end within the chamber, facing the breakable wall, wherein the cutting end has a first edge having a cutting formation and a gap in said cutting formation.

A closure for dispensing one or more active agents into a container comprises a sealed or sealable chamber having a breakable wall and a hollow piston slidably mounted in a piston guide. Said hollow piston comprises an outer wall having an end in the chamber and at least one ventilation aperture. Said end has a cutting formation. Said hollow piston is slidable in the piston guide between a ventilation position in which the at least one ventilation aperture allows ventilation of the chamber and a sealed position in which the at least one ventilation aperture is sealed to prevent ventilation of the chamber and a deployed position in which the cutting formation has broken through at least a portion of the breakable wall. The outer wall has a retaining formation which engages with the piston guide to releasably resist sliding of the hollow piston between the ventilation position and the sealed position and the deployed position. The hollow piston may have an outer wall, and said outer wall has an end within the chamber, facing the breakable wall, wherein the cutting end has a first edge having a cutting formation and a gap in said cutting formation.

An exemplary vial adapter may include a moveable member, an elongated member with a first passage, a second passage coupled to an expandable first reservoir, and a third passage coupled to an expandable second reservoir. In a first orientation of an exemplary vial adapter, a fluid may be directed through the first passage into the first reservoir or the second reservoir. In a second orientation of an exemplary vial adapter, a fluid may be drawn through the first passage and a fluid drawn through an air passage into the second passage. In a second orientation of an exemplary vial adapter, a fluid may be directed through the first passage and through the third passage into the second reservoir. In a first orientation of an exemplary vial adapter, a moveable member may be activated to direct a fluid from the second reservoir through the third passage.

A liquid transfer device is provided having a trifurcated body that includes a vial adapter at a first end configured to telescopically mount on the crown of an IV bottle to puncture a stopper in the crown with a cannula, an IV port extending from an opposing second end of the trifurcated body, and a needleless self-sealing port extending from a third end of the trifurcated body and configured to couple with the male connector of an additive transfer device. Methods of using the liquid transfer device with an IV bottle, additive transfer device, and an infusion set to prepare an infusion liquid for administration to a patient are also provided.