Abstract: The invention is a needle valve and connectors for use in liquid transfer apparatuses. The needle valve of the invention is not the conventional type of needle valve known in the art that comprises a threaded valve stem, which allows very accurate control of the flow through the valve, and that uses elastic materials, such as rubber, as a sealing component. The needle valve of the invention comprises two components: the first component is a hollow needle having a smooth exterior surface and a port at the side of the cylindrical shaft, the second component is a seat made of rigid material e.g. plastic with low friction properties.

Abstract: Described are improvements to components of fluid transfer apparatuses comprising a first component, e.g. a syringe, a connector component configured to connect between the first component and an adapter component that is configured to allow connection of the connector component to a second component of the drug transfer apparatus, e.g. to a drug vial. The improvements include inter alia changes to the sealing elements that seal the proximal end of the syringe, redesign of a septum holder inside the connector component and corresponding redesign of the housing of the connector component; changes to the structure of the end of the connector component that connects to the first component to allow the first component to swivel relative to the connector component; and changes to the design of the adapter component to a second component of the drug transfer apparatus to allow it to mate with the redesigned housing of the connector component.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for monitoring, documenting and assisting with the manual preparation and/or administration of medications. The invention accomplishes these goals via constant surveillance of the preparation/administration process using one or more digital cameras and software and hardware that processes the images and compares data from the processed images with information relative to the patient, to the drug components and composition of the medicament, and to non-drug items needed in the preparation that the system automatically or manually retrieves from various sources, e.g. internal or external data banks, from the technician/pharmacist, or by scanning the prescription.

Abstract: Presented herein are embodiments of septum holders for use in syringe connectors that are used to connect syringes to other elements of liquid transfer apparatuses. The septum holders comprise a septum holder body, at least one resilient elongated arm that terminates with a distal enlarged element attached to the sides of the body, and a septum. The septum holders of the invention are characterized in that they comprise at least one bore that is created in the septum or in an insert fixed in either the body of the septum holder or in the septum that functions as the seat of a needle valve and in that the septum is attached to the bottom of the body of the septum holder projecting downwards parallel to the at least one elongated arm.

Abstract: The invention is a needle valve comprising at least one hollow needle and a seat. The hollow needle is comprised of a smooth surfaced hollow shaft and a port adapted to allow fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said needle located in the side of the shaft at the distal end close to the tip of said needle. The seat comprises at least one bore adapted to accommodate one of the at least one needles through it. The needle and the bore can move one relatively to the other and the bore is provided in, or is fitted with, resilient material such that the outer diameter of the needle is greater than the inner diameter of at least part of the bore. As a result the passage of the shaft of the needle in the bore creates a closely-matched shaft and sheath, which blocks the passage of fluid through the port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transfer device for use in reconstituting dry drugs and for diluting liquid drugs in drug containers. The transfer device includes a multi-port manifold and a connector suitable to be attached to a drug container, a first conduit to transfer a liquid entering an inlet port of the manifold through the connector and into the drug container, and a second conduit to transfer a gaseous fluid through the connector to an outlet port of the manifold. Also disclosed is a closed liquid transfer system which includes the transfer device, a tube connectable to the inlet port for transporting a liquid to the transfer device, a tube connectable to the outlet port for transporting the gaseous fluid away from the transfer device, and a gas collection container to collect the gaseous fluid in the gas transporting tube.

Abstract: A vial adaptor having a bottom part adapted to be attached to the head section of a medical vial or any type of vessel or device that has a head section similar to that of the head of a standard medicine vial. The top part has numerous components. The apparatus also has a first locking mechanism; and a second locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism is adapted to lock a top part to the bottom part such that a tip of a spike cannot contact a stopper in the head section when the head section is being attached to the bottom part and to release the top part from the bottom part after the bottom part has been attached to the head section. The second locking mechanism is adapted to allow, after the bottom part has been attached to the head section, the spike to penetrate the stopper in the head section and to irremovably lock the top part to the bottom part.

Abstract: The application describes innovative designs for components of a drug transfer apparatus that overcome problems encountered in daily use of prior art apparatuses. Specifically described are components configured to prevent liquid from entering the air chamber of syringes coupled to the apparatus and to prevent tearing of the rubber stopper of drug vials when they are attached to the apparatus.

Abstract: A vial adaptor having a bottom part adapted to be attached to the head section of a medical vial or any type of vessel or device that has a head section similar to that of the head of a standard medicine vial. The top part has numerous components. The apparatus also has a first locking mechanism; and a second locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism is adapted to lock a top part to the bottom part such that a tip of a spike cannot contact a stopper in the head section when the head section is being attached to the bottom part and to release the top part from the bottom part after the bottom part has been attached to the head section. The second locking mechanism is adapted to allow, after the bottom part has been attached to the head section, the spike to penetrate the stopper in the head section and to irremovably lock the top part to the bottom part.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for monitoring, documenting and assisting with the manual preparation and/or administration of medications. The invention accomplishes these goals via constant surveillance of the preparation/administration process using one or more digital cameras and software and hardware that processes the images and compares data from the processed images with information relative to the patient, to the drug components and composition of the medicament, and to non-drug items needed in the preparation that the system automatically or manually retrieves from various sources, e.g. internal or external data banks, from the technician/pharmacist, or by scanning the prescription.

Abstract: The invention is a system designed to assist a hospital pharmacy in the compounding of medications comprising hazardous drugs. The system comprising: a safety cabinet, at least two robotic arm assemblies configured to simultaneously move vials and syringes within the safety cabinet, a plurality of cameras each installed at a specific location in the safety cabinet or on the robotic arm assemblies, and a processor. Each of the cameras is dedicated to provide real time digital images of the stage of the preparation process carried out at its location. Dedicated software and algorithms in the system processor allow almost all steps in the compounding process to be carried out automatically by the robotic arm assemblies without intervention by the operator or a supervisor and the cameras and imaging process algorithms are adapted to provide real-time feedback control of all stages of the compounding process.

Abstract: The invention is a needle valve and connectors for use in liquid transfer apparatuses. The needle valve of the invention is not the conventional type of needle valve known in the art that comprises a threaded valve stem, which allows very accurate control of the flow through the valve, and that uses elastic materials, such as rubber, as a sealing component. The needle valve of the invention comprises two components: the first component is a hollow needle having a smooth exterior surface and a port at the side of the cylindrical shaft, the second component is a seat made of rigid material e.g. plastic with low friction properties.

Abstract: The application describes innovative designs for components of a drug transfer apparatus that overcome problems encountered in daily use of prior art apparatuses. Specifically described are components configured to prevent liquid from entering the air chamber of syringes coupled to the apparatus and to prevent tearing of the rubber stopper of drug vials when they are attached to the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for contamination-free transfer of liquid from one container to another, and devices to carry out the method are disclosed. Contamination-free transfer means that during the transfer process there is no (1) leakage of (a) the liquid, (b) air contaminated by the liquid, and (c) vapor from the liquid to the surroundings, and (2) surrounding contaminants from outside the containers that contact the liquid. The method's advantages include its simplicity, and the contamination-free transfer as defined above. The devices are adapted to effect contamination-free transfer of a hazardous drug to and from any container equipped with a standard connector port.

Abstract: The invention is a method that allows contamination-free transfer of a liquid from one container to another and devices including embodiments of a transfer apparatus and adaptors that are used to carry out the method. By contamination-free transfer of liquid it is meant that during the transfer process there is no leakage of the liquid or air contaminated by the liquid or vapors of the liquid to the surroundings and also that no contaminants from the surroundings come into contact with the liquid. The main advantages of the method, in addition to its simplicity, is that at no stage of the transfer procedure is there leakage of the liquid or air contaminated by the liquid or vapors of the liquid to the surroundings and also that no contaminants from the surroundings come into contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A method for contamination-free transfer of liquid from one container to another, and devices to carry out the method are disclosed. Contamination-free transfer means that during the transfer process there is no (1) leakage of (a) the liquid, (b) air contaminated by the liquid, and (c) vapor from the liquid to the surroundings, and (2) surrounding contaminants from outside the containers that contact the liquid. The method's advantages include its simplicity, and the contamination-free transfer as defined above. The devices are adapted to effect contamination-free transfer of a hazardous drug to and from any container equipped with a standard connector port.

Abstract: The invention is a method that allows contamination-free transfer of a liquid from one container to another and devices including embodiments of a transfer apparatus and adaptors that are used to carry out the method. By contamination-free transfer of liquid it is meant that during the transfer process there is no leakage of the liquid or air contaminated by the liquid or vapors of the liquid to the surroundings and also that no contaminants from the surroundings come into contact with the liquid. The main advantages of the method, in addition to its simplicity, is that at no stage of the transfer procedure is there leakage of the liquid or air contaminated by the liquid or vapors of the liquid to the surroundings and also that no contaminants from the surroundings come into contact with the liquid.