Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Fowles

Thomas A. Fowles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8226627
    Abstract: A reconstitution assembly includes: a flexible bag containing a diluent; a drug vial containing a drug; a reconstitution device further comprising: a first sleeve connected to the first container; a second sleeve connected to the second container, the second sleeve being associated with the first sleeve and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position; a piercing member positioned in the sleeves, the piercing member providing a fluid pathway between the bag and vial when the sleeves are in the activated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinburg
  • Publication number: 20080300570
    Abstract: A reconstitution assembly includes: a flexible bag containing a diluent; a drug vial containing a drug; a reconstitution device further comprising: a first sleeve connected to the first container; a second sleeve connected to the second container, the second sleeve being associated with the first sleeve and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position; a piercing member positioned in the sleeves, the piercing member providing a fluid pathway between the bag and vial when the sleeves are in the activated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinburg
  • Patent number: 7425209
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device or reconstitution device (10) for placing a first container (12), such as a liquid container (e.g. flexible container or syringe), in fluid communication with a second container (14), such as a drug vial. The connector device (10) has a first sleeve (32) having a first end (36) and a second end (38). The first sleeve (32) has at the first end (36), a first attaching member (30) adapted to attach to the liquid container (12). The connector device (10) also has a second sleeve (34) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). A second attaching member (28) is attached on the second end (50) of the second sleeve (34) and is adapted to attach to the second container (14). The second attaching member (28) has a sealing member (84). A piercing member (76) projects within the sleeves (32,34) for providing a fluid flow path from the first container (12) to the second container (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 7074216
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reconstitution device (10) for placing a first container (12), such as a liquid container (e.g. flexible container or syringe), in fluid communication with a second container (14), such as a drug vial. To this end, there is provided a connector device (10) for establishing fluid communication between the diluent container (12) and the drug vial (14). The connector device (10) has a first sleeve member (32) having a first end (36) and a second end (38). The first sleeve member (32) has at the first end (36), a first attaching member (30) adapted to attach to the liquid container (12). The connector device (10) also has a second sleeve member (34) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). The second sleeve member (34) is movable axially with respect to the first sleeve member (32) from an inactivated position to an activated position. The second sleeve member (34) has a protuberance (66) on an inner surface of the second sleeve member (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Publication number: 20050137566
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device or reconstitution device (10) for placing a first container (12), such as a liquid container (e.g. flexible container or syringe), in fluid communication with a second container (14), such as a drug vial. The connector device (10) has a first sleeve (32) having a first end (36) and a second end (38). The first sleeve (32) has at the first end (36), a first attaching member (30) adapted to attach to the liquid container (12). The connector device (10) also has a second sleeve (34) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). A second attaching member (28) is attached on the second end (50) of the second sleeve (34) and is adapted to attach to the second container (14). The second attaching member (28) has a sealing member (84). A piercing member (76) projects within the sleeves (32,34) for providing a fluid flow path from the first container (12) to the second container (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Fowles, Robert Weinberg, Yann-Per Lee, James Rose
  • Patent number: 6890328
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6875203
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6852103
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20040199139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device or reconstitution device (10) for placing a first container (12), such as a liquid container (e.g. flexible container or syringe), in fluid communication with a second container (14), such as a drug vial. The connector device (10) has a first sleeve (32) having a first end (36) and a second end (38). The first sleeve (32) has at the first end (36), a first attaching member (30) adapted to attach to the liquid container (12). The connector device (10) also has a second sleeve (34) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). A second attaching member (28) is attached on the second end (50) of the second sleeve (34) and is adapted to attach to the second container (14). The second attaching member (28) has a sealing member (84). A piercing member (76) projects within the sleeves (32,34) for providing a fluid flow path from the first container (12) to the second container (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Publication number: 20030199846
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6610040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6582415
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Publication number: 20030107628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20020123736
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reconstitution device (10) for placing a first container (12), such as a liquid container (e.g. flexible container or syringe), in fluid communication with a second container (14), such as a drug vial. To this end, there is provided a connector device (10) for establishing fluid communication between the diluent container (12) and the drug vial (14). The connector device (10) has a first sleeve member (32) having a first end (36) and a second end (38). The first sleeve member (32) has at the first end (36), a first attaching member (30) adapted to attach to the liquid container (12). The connector device (10) also has a second sleeve member (34) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). The second sleeve member (34) is movable axially with respect to the first sleeve member (32) from an inactivated position to an activated position. The second sleeve member (34) has a protuberance (66) on an inner surface of the second sleeve member (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Patent number: 6159192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of connecting a reconstitution device to a drug container having a top and a closure. The method includes the steps of:providing a reconstitution device having first and second ends, the second end having a receiving chamber dimensioned to receive the top of the container for fixedly attaching the device to the container, the device having a central channel housing a piercing member, the device further having first and second sleeve members capable of sliding axially with respect to one another from an inactivated position where the piercing member is outside the receiving chamber to an activated position where a portion of the piercing member is positioned inside the receiving chamber; andinserting the top of the container into the receiving chamber of the device and fixedly attaching the container therein when the device is in the inactivated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6113583
    Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6090092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container; and a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position. A second attaching member is provided on the second end of the second sleeve and adapted to fixedly attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members are also provided projecting from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6090091
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Patent number: 6071270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6063068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar