DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING A LIQUID FROM A FIRST VIAL TO A SECOND VIAL

Abstract

A device for transferring a liquid from a first vial to a second vial is disclosed having a dome portion configured to create an air flow when activated by compression and re-expansion, and a support body tightly supporting the dome portion to form a chamber with air therein. The support body includes first and second vial seats, and a transfer conduit. The first and second vial seats are arranged to receive the first and second vials. When the first and second vials are received in the first and second vial seats, the transfer conduit is arranged to establish a fluid connection between the first vial and the second vial. Upon activation of the dome portion, air is delivered into the first vial, thereby creating a pressure rise in the first vial which causes the liquid to transfer from the first vial to the second vial through the transfer conduit.

Claims

1. A transfer device for transferring a liquid from a first vial to a second vial, comprising: a resilient dome portion configured to create an air flow when activated by compression and re-expansion; and a support body tightly supporting said dome portion to form a chamber comprising air for the air flow, wherein the support body comprises a first vial seat, a second vial seat and a transfer conduit; the first vial seat of the support body is arranged to receive the first vial; the second vial seat of the support body is arranged to receive the second vial; and, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat and the second vial is received in the second vial seat, the transfer conduit is arranged to establish a fluid connection between the first vial and the second vial, and on activation of the dome portion, air is delivered into the first vial by the air flow, creating a pressure rise in the first vial which causes the liquid to transfer from the first vial to the second vial through the transfer conduit.

2. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the transfer conduit ) comprises end sections each embodied as puncturing members protruding from the vial seats and arranged to establish flow pathways to and/or from an interior of the first vial through a pierceable cover of the first vial and to and/or from an interior of the second vial through a pierceable cover of the second vial.

3. The transfer device of claim 2, wherein one of the puncturing members of the transfer conduit is arranged to end in, or adjacent to, the pierceable cover of the first vial, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat.

4. The transfer device, wherein the support body is arranged such that the first vial seat receives the first vial above the second vial seat receiving the second vial, when the dome portion is activated.

5. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the transfer device is configured so that activation of the dome portion by compression of the dome portion causes air to be delivered into the first vial by the air flow, and activation of the dome portion by re-expansion of the dome portion causes the liquid to be drawn from the first vial and to be delivered through the transfer conduit to the second vial and causes air to be drawn from the second vial and delivered to the chamber.

6. (canceled)

7. The transfer device, wherein the transfer conduit comprises a first transfer conduit portion and a second transfer conduit portion, wherein the first transfer conduit portion is arranged to create a first air flow pathway between the interior of the first vial and the chamber for delivering the air from the chamber into the first vial, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat; the second transfer conduit portion is arranged to create a second air flow pathway between the interior of the second vial and the chamber for drawing the air from the second vial to the chamber, when the second vial is received in the second vial seat; and the first transfer conduit portion together with the second transfer conduit portion are arranged to create a liquid flow pathway between the interior of the first vial and the interior of the second vial for the liquid being transferred from the first vial to the second vial, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat and the second vial is received in the second vial seat.

8. The transfer device of claim 7, comprising a filter member separating the chamber from the transfer conduit, wherein the filter is air-permeable and liquid tight.

9. The transfer device of claim 7, wherein the chamber comprises a bottleneck portion connected to the transfer conduit and dimensioned for a substantially lossless transfer of the liquid from the first vial to the second vial through the transfer conduit.

10. The transfer device of claim 7, wherein the first transfer conduit portion and the second transfer conduit portion are aligned and positioned on opposite sides of the chamber.

11. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein an air-tight and liquid-tight separation wall is provided between the transfer conduit and the chamber.

12. The transfer of claim 1, comprising a first air duct configured to create an air flow pathway between the interior of the first vial and the chamber, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat.

13. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve arranged to allow air to be delivered from the chamber into the first vial and to prevent air to be delivered from the first vial into the chamber, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat.

14. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a second air duct configured to create an air flow pathway between the interior of the second vial and the chamber, when the second vial is received in the second vial seat.

15. The transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve arranged to prevent air to be delivered from the chamber into the second vial and to allow air to be delivered from the second vial into the chamber, when the second vial is received in the second vial seat.

16. The transfer device of claim 12, further comprising a second air duct configured to create an air flow pathway between the interior of the second vial and the chamber, when the second vial is received in the second vial seat, wherein the first air duct and the second air duct are aligned and positioned on opposite sides of the chamber.

17. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the transfer conduit connects the first vial, the second vial and the chamber, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat and second vial is received in the second vial seat, such that the first vial, the second vial and the chamber are in fluid communication.

18. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the transfer conduit directly connects the first vial and the second vial, when the first vial is received in the first vial seat and second vial is received in the second vial seat.

19. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the dome portion is made of a flexible elastomeric material such as silicone.

20. A transfer device system comprising a transfer device according to claim 1, a first vial and a second vial.

21. The transfer device of claim 20, wherein said first vial comprises a liquid re-hydrating or diluent solution and/or a first liquid medicament component, and/or wherein said second vial comprises a powdered agent and/or a second liquid medicament component or is initially empty.

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The device for transferring a liquid from a first vial to a second vial according to the invention is described in more detail herein below by way of two exemplary embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a transfer device according to the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the transfer device of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the transfer device of FIG. 1, when a first and a second vial are engaged in respective vial seats of the device;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the transfer device of FIG. 3;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a transfer device according to the present invention, when a first and a second vial are engaged in respective vial seats of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] In the following description certain terms may be used for reasons of convenience and are not intended to limit the invention. The terms “right”, “left”, “up”, “down”, “under” and “above” refer to directions in the figures. The terminology comprises the explicitly mentioned terms as well as their derivations and terms with a similar meaning. Also, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “proximal”, “distal”, and the like, may be used to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions and orientations of the devices in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both positions and orientations of above and below. The devices may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Likewise, descriptions of movement along and around various axes include various special device positions and orientations.

[0057] To avoid repetition in the figures and the descriptions of the various aspects and illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that many features are common to many aspects and embodiments. Omission of an aspect from a description or figure does not imply that the aspect is missing from embodiments that incorporate that aspect. Instead, the aspect may have been omitted for clarity and to avoid prolix description. In this context, the following applies to the rest of this description: If, in order to clarify the drawings, a figure contains reference signs which are not explained in the directly associated part of the description, then it is referred to previous or following description sections. Further, for reason of lucidity, if in a drawing not all features of a part are provided with reference signs it is referred to other drawings showing the same part. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the transfer device 1 according to the present invention is represented. A resilient dome portion 2, configured to create an air flow when activated by compression and re-expansion, is supported by a support body 3. The resilient dome 2 tightly engages a flange-shaped, or a lip-shaped, protrusion extending at an open end of the support body 3. The support body 3 and the dome portion 2 thus cooperate to form a chamber 4 comprising air which is employed to create the abovementioned air flow on, or upon, activation of the dome 2. The support body 3 comprises a first vial seat 10 arranged to receive a first vial, a second vial seat 20 arranged to receive a second vial, and a transfer conduit 5 connecting the first and second vial seats 10, 20 to establish a fluid communication.

[0059] In particular, the transfer conduit 5 is arranged to establish a fluid connection between the first vial 100 and the second vial 200. More specifically, for the specific embodiment represented, the transfer conduit 5 comprises a first transfer conduit portion 51 and a second transfer conduit portion 52.

[0060] The transfer conduit 5 is separated from the chamber 4 by a filter 8 or filter member as air permeable and liquid proof wall member.

[0061] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same transfer device 1 as FIGS. 1 and 2 in an operative configuration, wherein a first vial 100 and a second vial 200 are received in the respective vial seats 10, 20.

[0062] On or upon compression of the activation of the dome portion 2, an air flow is created such that air is delivered from the chamber 4 through the filter 8 into the first vial 100 via the first transfer conduit portion 51 and into the second vial 200 via the second transfer conduit portion 52. Thereby, a pressure rise is created in the first vial 100 and in the second vial 200.

[0063] When releasing the dome portion 2, the resiliency or elasticity of the material it is made of re-expands the dome portion 2. Thereby, air is withdrawn from the second vial 200 and transferred through the filter 8 into the chamber 4 via the second transfer conduit portion 52. Additionally, liquid is withdrawn from the first vial 100 into the first transfer conduit portion 51. Since the liquid is not transferable through the filter 8, it passes the filter 8 and is transferred into the second vial 200 via the second transfer conduit portion 52. In fact, when the dome portion 2 re-expands, e.g. upon removal of a finger's pressure, and goes back to its original shape, the liquid is drawn from the first vial 100 and conveyed, through the transfer conduit 5, to the second vial 200. Also, when the dome portion 2 re-expands, air is drawn from the second vial 200 and conveyed to the chamber 4 for equalization of pressure between the chamber and the two vials 100, 200 in fluid communication therewith.

[0064] Thus, the first transfer conduit portion 51 is arranged to create a first air flow pathway between the chamber 4 and the interior of the first vial 100, for delivering air from the chamber 4 into the first vial 100. It further is arranged to establish a liquid flow pathway from the first vial 100 towards the second vial 200.

[0065] The second transfer conduit portion 52, instead, is arranged to create a second air flow pathway between the interior of the second vial 200 and the chamber 4, for delivering air from the chamber 4 into the second vial 200 and for drawing air from the second vial 200 into the chamber 4. Further to that, the second transfer conduit portion 52 is arranged to establish a liquid flow pathway together with the first transfer conduit portion 51 between the interior of the first vial 100 and the interior of the second vial 200 for the liquid to be transferred, when the transfer device 1 is in the operative configuration, that is when the first vial 100 is received in the first vial seat 10 and the second vial 200 is received in the second vial seat 20.

[0066] The same transfer conduit portions 51 and 52 are therefore adapted to convey both an air flow and liquid, in respective phases of the overall liquid transfer procedure. The first transfer conduit portion 51 and the second transfer conduit portion 52 are aligned, namely axially aligned, and positioned on opposite sides of the chamber 4. An end section of the transfer conduit portion 51 protrudes in the first vial seat 10 with puncturing member 6, in the form of a hollow spike, to establish a fluid flow pathway to and/or from the interior of the first vial 100, through a septum 101 of the vial 100. An end section of the transfer conduit portion 52 protrudes in the second vial seat 20 with puncturing member 7, also in the form of a hollow spike, to establish a fluid flow pathway to and/or from the interior of the second vial 200, through a septum 201 of the vial 200.

[0067] In an alternative variant of the device 1, no filter 8 is provided between the transfer conduit 5 and the chamber 4. In operation of this variant, compressing the dome portion 2 within activation results in a transfer of air from the chamber 4 into the first vial 100 and into the second vial 200. Like this, an overpressure is generated in the first vial 100 and the second vial 200. When releasing and thereby resiliency induced re-expanding the dome portion 2 within activation, the overpressure is equalized by drawing liquid from the first vial 100 into the chamber 4 and air from the second vial 200 into the chamber 4. Each subsequent compression pressurises the first and second vials 100, 200 again. In particular, this achieved by forcing air from the chamber 4 into the first vial 100 and by forcing the liquid, eventually accompanied by some air, from the chamber 4 into the second vial 200. Each subsequent release equalizes the pressure in the first and second vials 100, 200 by drawing liquid from the first vial 100 and air from the second vial 200.

[0068] In a different embodiment, represented in FIG. 5, the fluid flow established between the chamber and the vials, as well as between the vials themselves, in order to produce the liquid transfer from a first vial 100 to a second vial 200 is differently engineered. The transfer device 1 comprises a transfer conduit 5′ forming a liquid communication channel stretching between the first vial 100 and the second vial 200. In this case, differently from the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, an air-tight and liquid-tight separation wall 9 is provided between the transfer conduit 5′ and the chamber 4. Thus, relative to this specific case, the transfer conduit 5′ is configured solely for the passage of the liquid drawn from the first vial 100 and to be transferred to the second vial 200.

[0069] The air flow created by the activation of the dome portion 2 and triggering the liquid transfer is, instead, conveyed through distinct, dedicated air ducts 53, 54.

[0070] In fact, the transfer device of FIG. 5 comprises a first air duct 53 configured to create an air flow pathway between the interior of the first vial 100 and the chamber 4. Through this first air duct 53 passes the air delivered into the first vial 100 by the air flow, for instance as a result of a compression of the dome portion 2.

[0071] The air flow direction may be controlled by a one-way valve regulating the flow of the air pushed into the first vial 100. In particular, a one-way valve may be arranged to allow air to be delivered from the chamber 4 into the first vial 100 and, at the same time, to prevent air circulation in the opposite sense, i.e. to prevent air from being delivered from the first vial 100 into the chamber 4.

[0072] A second air duct 54 is configured to create an air flow pathway between the interior of the second vial 200 and the chamber 4. Through this second air duct 54 passes the air drawn from the second vial 200 into the chamber 4, for equalization of pressure. Analogously to the air duct portion previously introduced, a one-way valve may be provided to regulate the flow of the air drawn from the interior of the second vial 200. Thus, a one-way valve can be arranged to prevent air from being delivered in the opposite sense, from the chamber 4 into the second vial 200.

[0073] For simplicity of design and efficiency in air flow creation, the first air duct 53 and the second air duct 54 are aligned and positioned on opposite sides of the chamber 4.

[0074] The transfer conduit 5′ comprises end sections each embodied as puncturing members 6′, 7′.

[0075] In analogy to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a first end section of the transfer conduit 5′ protrudes in the first vial seat 10 with puncturing member 6′, in the form of a hollow spike, to establish a liquid flow pathway from the interior of the first vial 100, through septum 101; and a second end section of the transfer conduit 5′ protrudes in the second vial seat 20 with puncturing member 7′, also in the form of a hollow spike, to establish a liquid flow pathway to the interior of the second vial 200, through septum 201.

[0076] In addition to that, the first puncturing member 6′ of the transfer conduit 5′ further incorporates a first air flow opening 66′, allowing to establish an air flow communication between the first air duct 53 and the interior of the first vial 100. The second puncturing member 7′ of the transfer conduit 5′ further incorporates a second air flow opening 77′, allowing to establish an air flow communication between the second air duct 54 and the interior of the second vial 200. In this configuration, the air flow openings 66′, 77′ come to be adjacent to respective liquid inlet/outlets of the transfer conduit 5′.

[0077] This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate aspects and embodiments of the present invention should not be taken as limiting the claims defining the protected invention. In other words, while the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Thus, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope and spirit of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below.

[0078] The disclosure also covers all further features shown in the Figs. individually although they may not have been described in the afore or following description. Also, single alternatives of the embodiments described in the figures and the description and single alternatives of features thereof can be disclaimed from the subject matter of the invention or from disclosed subject matter. The disclosure comprises subject matter consisting of the features defined in the claims or the exemplary embodiments as well as subject matter comprising said features.

[0079] Furthermore, in the claims the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single unit or step may fulfil the functions of several features recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The terms “essentially”, “about”, “approximately” and the like in connection with an attribute or a value particularly also define exactly the attribute or exactly the value, respectively. The term “about” in the context of a given numerate value or range refers to a value or range that is, e.g., within 20%, within 10%, within 5%, or within 2% of the given value or range. Components described as coupled or connected may be electrically or mechanically directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.