Container With Piercable Closure Patents (Class 604/415)
  • Patent number: 5672162
    Abstract: A system for the introduction of a fluid to an internal volume of a suction canister. The canister is provided with sidewalls and a top, the latter possessing a circular opening and cylindrical duct. A fluid-containing vessel is provided having a tubular extending dispensing port sized to pass over and capture the cylindrical duct when the fluid-containing vessel is positioned over and in contact with the suction canister. The fluid-containing vessel further is provided with a fluid reservoir segregated from the tubular extending dispensing port by a circular membrane which is scored so as to rupture by the cylindrical duct upon the application of nominal pressure exerted upon the fluid-containing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Isolyser Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Hal P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5653686
    Abstract: A method and transfer device for transferring fluids between closed vials. The transfer device includes a cylinder having a pair of opposing open tubes or tubular portions into which a pair of vials can be inserted to transfer fluid therebetween. The tubes are separated by a wall through which extends a fluid transfer needle and a vent needle which first is inserted into a first vial to vent the first vial into a vent chamber or reservoir formed in the transfer device before the transfer needle is inserted into the first vial. The first vial, stopper first, is inserted into first tube until seated onto an exposed end of the transfer needle. A second vial, stopper first, then is inserted into the second tube until seated onto the opposite exposed end of the transfer needle. A pressure differential between the closed vials preferably can be utilized to transfer a desired fluid portion between the vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace H. Coulter, Charles R. Shambaugh
  • Patent number: 5637107
    Abstract: The exposed surface of the bung closing off the glass vial of medicament is provided with a permanent contact bactericide coating to prevent microbial growth. The coating is applied by a vapor deposition process. Upon removal of a pull tab on a cap securing the bung to the glass vial, the exposed bactericide containing surface of the bung can be pierced by a needle in order to obtain access to the medicament in the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Vincent L. Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 5620434
    Abstract: A link for use between a needleless syringe and a liquid medicine vial may be used equally well with both Luer lock and slip tip syringes. An adapter flange forms both an anchor for a conventional Luer lock and a receiving receptacle for a conventional slip tip syringe. The bottom end of the receiving receptacle is capped with a cylindrical sieve providing multiple fluid flow paths. The vial end of the link is formed with a pocket for collecting fluid when the vial is inverted. Two separate versions are provided, with one having a flip-top cap flush with the top of the medicine vial and the other having a twist-off top extending above the top of the vial. An outer jacket, surrounding the vial top is an optional variation on either version and provides for resealing of multiple dose vials. A valve automatically seals the vial to protect against loss of fluid and contamination of remaining fluid within the vial, in the event that the vial is overturned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Seth K. Brony
  • Patent number: 5611792
    Abstract: A valve device to enable aseptic injection and withdrawal of medical fluids into/from an infusion container. The valve device comprises a valve body with self-sealing passage portion (2), a surrounding portion (3) and a peripheral portion (4), and has an adhesive application surface (5). Located at the underside of the passage portion is a pressure relief zone (6), and at the upper side an insert zone (7). The surrounding portion (3) has a pronounced upright edge. The valve device is manufactured in one piece of the same material and can be simply applied and handled on the occasion of use while retaining aseptic conditions even by persons of impaired sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Dicamed AB
    Inventor: Sven Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 5595314
    Abstract: An improved closure insert is provided for throat region of a blow-molded container. This closure insert is provided with a scabrous perimeter and is permanently molded into the container throat region during container formation from a parison. The resulting seal resists loosening or disturbance when off-axis force or torque force is applied to the closure insert during container opening. The closure insert can be a subassembly constituted by removable parts that provide a variety of access options to the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard H. Weiler
  • Patent number: 5584825
    Abstract: A system for the introduction of a fluid to an internal volume of a suction canister. The canister is provided with sidewalls and a top, the latter possessing a circular opening and cylindrical duct. A fluid-containing vessel is provided having a tubular extending dispensing port sized to pass over and capture the cylindrical duct when the fluid-containing vessel is positioned over and in contact with the suction canister. The fluid-containing vessel further is provided with a fluid reservoir segregated from the tubular extending dispensing port by a circular membrane which is scored so as to rupture by the cylindrical duct upon the application of nominal pressure exerted upon the fluid-containing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Isolyser Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Hal P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5573525
    Abstract: A medicine bottle is formed with a neck that defines an opening and a closed bottom opposite the opening. A closure element is engaged with the neck to block the opening, and the closure element is formed with a fluid passageway. A fitting is positioned in the fluid passageway. The fitting is configured for receiving the hub of a needleless syringe, and a tube which has a proximal end is positioned in the bottle with the proximal end in fluid communication with the fitting. The tube also has a distal end disposed near the bottom of the bottle. Consequently, the syringe can be engaged with the fitting for drawing liquid from the bottle into the syringe without inverting the bottom of the bottle over the neck of the bottle, even when the bottle is nearly empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas L. Watson, Jaleh Shaban-Watson
  • Patent number: 5556599
    Abstract: A blood sample/fluid system includes a pair of tubes formed of identically shaped concentric cylinders, each closed at one end and open at the other end and having different diameters enabling the reduced diameter tube to be positioned in the enlarged diameter tube. A locking ring is positioned around the outer surface of the reduced diameter tube to provide a spacer and seal for the enlarged diameter tube. An identifying label is positioned on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter tube for providing identity for both tubes when the tubes are engaged and for the enlarged diameter tube when the reduced diameter tube is removed from the enlarged diameter tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Syed M. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 5554134
    Abstract: A closure for the outlet end of an ampoule having a neck with an outwardly extending annular projection (30), said closure comprising a holding cap (18;61) with a skirt (35;62) with interior protrusions (38) for engagement behind the annular projection (30) of the neck, which holding cap engages a disc shape part (31) to press it sealingly against the annular projection (30). A locking ring (20;64) on the outer side of the skirt (35;62) locks projections (38) in their engagement position behind the annular projection (30). Resilient fingers (37;65) and recesses (36;66) are provided on either the skirt or the locking ring, the recesses being positioned below the fingers so that the fingers may be pushed into the recesses when the locking ring is passed over the skirt. Either the skirt (35) or the locking ring (64), which part is not provided with the fingers and recesses, is provided with an edge over which the fingers may grip irreversibly when the locking ring is mounted in position on the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventor: Frits F. Bonnichsen
  • Patent number: 5547723
    Abstract: An irradiated plastic article of reduced gas transmission has a coating of silicon oxide on a surface thereof. A method to reduce gas transmission through a plastic article includes depositing a coating of silicon oxide thereon and irradiating, either prior to or subsequent to depositing the silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Joel L. Williams, Susan L. Burkett, Shel McGuire
  • Patent number: 5540674
    Abstract: A parenteral solution container having a dual use access port used for both the administration of fluids to a patient as well as for the addition of fluids to the container, includes a generally cylindrical wall with an axial passage therethrough. A fluid-tight sealing means, having a reseal member that includes a slit therein to enable the reseal member to be pierced with a blunt, metal cannula, or sharp needle is removably attached to the dual use access port. When the dual use access port is used in its fluid addition capacity, the reseal member is attached to the wall and a blunt cannula is passed through the reseal member. Once the blunt cannula has been completely inserted, fluids may be added to the container. To use the dual use access port in its administration capacity, the sealing means is completely removed from the wall. A piercing pin is inserted into the wall creating a fluid-tight seal so that fluids may be administered to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Peter J. Karas, Timothy J. Oswald
  • Patent number: 5520677
    Abstract: An infusion container has a first connection for feed of a medication and a second connection for removal of the contents of the container. The first connection and the second connection are configured of one piece with a plug. The plug is inserted in a neck part of the infusion container and is connected tightly with this neck part. The two connections form two supports projecting on the outside of the plug and face away from the inside of the container. Each support incorporates a conduit passing through the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 5514339
    Abstract: A test tube stopper (1) has the shape of a small bowl and is provided with a protruding upper circular collar (11). The stopper (1) slidably enters into and seals the neck of a test tube (3) until the collar (11) rests against the mouth of the test tube (3). A horizontal bottom wall (12) of the stopper (1) is comprised of two or more elastically yielding sectors (16) which can bend under the action of a device (43) being introduced into the test tube (3) through the bottom wall (12) for introducing or withdrawing liquid. The resilient sectors (16) return to their initial position as soon as the device (43) has been extracted from the test tube (3) through the bottom wall (12). In a preferred embodiment a stopper (2), preferably of the conventional type, sealingly closes a cavity (14) of the stopper (1) to ensure sealing a vacuum previously provided in the test tube (3). The stopper (2) may then be removed when it is necessary to withdraw blood from the test tube (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Francesco Leopardi, Sergio Paoletti
  • Patent number: 5511558
    Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes an evacuated container having an open end with a puncturable stopper therein. A receptacle in the container contains an additive and has an open end covered by a puncturable, non-resealable material.In a method for preparing a blood sample for analysis, the stopper and receptacle covering are punctured by a cannula, the cannula is partially retracted into the receptacle so that blood drawn through the cannula contacts the additive and washes it directly into the container through a hole in the covering made by the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Erwin A. Vogler
  • Patent number: 5505721
    Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing blood from a vein and simultaneously filling multiple collection tubes. The apparatus includes a movable sheath which protects the technician from inadvertently contacting the withdrawn needle after use and a laminar flow transition chamber between the blood withdrawal needle and the multiple collection tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventors: Gregory L. Leach, Albert C. Phelps, Mark L. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5498253
    Abstract: An improved adaptor and protector for same which is removably sealing an opening of the adaptor located at an end of a tubular member. The adaptor has a longitudinal passageway for receiving a cannula. An upper end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a first end of the passageway for receiving the cannula. A lower end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a second end of the passageway adapted for receiving an injection site wherein the diameter of the first end is larger than the diameter at the second end. A middle portion intermediate the first end and the second end has a tapering interior diameter for directing the cannula to the injection site and further having an exterior surface with gripping surfaces. The tapering interior diameter of the middle portion of the adaptor includes guiding members to direct the cannula or other injection devices. The adaptor may also be provided with a protector removably sealing an opening located at an end of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Aswad, Dale Severs, Joyce Silvestri, Hugh M. Forman, Lecon Woo, Thomas D. Hiller, Lisa S. Walsh, Sandra Wade, Eddie Chan, Patrick Balteau, Franco Peluso, Eric Henaut
  • Patent number: 5492531
    Abstract: A stomach lavage apparatus for the introduction of a highly absorbent antidote solution, such as activated charcoal, into the gastric cavity for the purpose of absorbing or otherwise counteracting a digested poison present therein, is described. The lavage apparatus is a completely closed system so that the antidote solution is never exposed to the atmosphere and there is no risk of spilling the antidote solution. The present invention thus comprises a flexible container for the antidote solution, the container being connectable to a lavage conduit leading into the gastric cavity by threading the container into a fitting provided with an internal spike. This causes the spike to puncture a rupturable seal provided in an exit port of the container, and the container is then squeezed to express the antidote solution therefrom and into the lavage conduit for introduction into the gastric cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Ethox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Post, Matthew Alesse, Edwin T. Bean, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5478337
    Abstract: An outer tube having a double-ended needle accommodated therein upwardly and downwardly slidably is hermetically, removably but fixedly joined to an opening seal portion of a dissolving liquid container. An inner tube having a medicine-containing vial accommodated therein in an inverted state is joined to an upper end of the outer tube so as to be movable from a joined position of shallow fit to a joined position of deep fit. The joint between the outer and inner tubes is provided with a seal ring for holding the interior of the tubes airtight and a restraining mechanism for holding the inner tube in the joined position of shallow fit. The medicine container thus constructed is excellent in impact resistance and shakeproofness for transport and storage, usable by a facilitated mixing procedure for preparing a medicinal solution, simple in overall structure and disposable as separated into components after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignees: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Okamoto, Yoshiki Maesaki, Hidekatsu Shoji, Isamu Tateishi, Takayuki Hagiwara, Tetsuya Hatono
  • Patent number: 5472022
    Abstract: An injection pen apparatus (30) for medicament injection including a medicament cartridge assembly (31) formed to receive and contain a medicament therein. A holding sleeve (34) is provided which is dimensioned to receive the medicament cartridge assembly (31) therein which mates with a solution transfer device (35) including an axially movable displacement rod (36). The injection pen apparatus (30) further includes a coupling mechanism (37) removably coupling the solution transfer device (35) to both a plunger (32) slidably movable in the cartridge (33) and to the holding sleeve (34). A sleeve mounting assembly (40) of the coupling mechanism (37) removably mounts the coupling mechanism to the holding sleeve (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michel, Robert S. Freeman, James Q. Oeswein
  • Patent number: 5464111
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided a closure arrangement for medication containers comprising an elastomeric stopper comprising a tear-away member which blocks a passageway defining a conical luer taper and a cap comprising means for engaging the tear-away member, whereby the engaged tear-away member can be readily torn away by a user by rotating the cap or by pulling the cap off the container in an axial direction. The closure arrangement reduces the risk of particulate contamination associated with stoppers adapted to be ruptured with a luer nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Sterling Winthrop
    Inventors: Ronald R. Vacek, Bruce Semmler, Edward Owens
  • Patent number: 5460625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coextruded tubing that has been optimized for usage in cryogenic freezing applications. To this end, a coextruded tubing is provided having three layers, a first layer of ethylene vinyl acetate; a second layer of polyolefin; and a third layer of polyvinyl chloride. An improved container for use in cryogenic freezing applications is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5451374
    Abstract: Stoppers for medicine vessels are disclosed. Such stoppers comprise an insert having one end frictionally engageable within an opening in a medicine vessel. Such inserts' other ends have a fitting, e.g. a luer complimentary with a luer on an opening in the medicine vessel. The fitting allows the contents of the medicine vessel to be withdrawn without using a sharp object, such as a needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Incutech, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger V. Molina
  • Patent number: 5433716
    Abstract: A safety closing device for containers of biological liquids and, particularly, for test tubes used for the drawing, transport and/or analysis of blood. The safety closing device includes an undercap and a cap, both with central portions made of a perforable material. The central portion of the undercap is sealingly locked on the edge of the test tube and the central portion of the cap is sealingly locked on the side facing the undercap. A locking mechanism, that can only be intentionally disengaged, mechanically couples the cap to the undercap, and secures the cap/undercap assembly onto the prearranged open end of the test tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Heisenberg Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Leopardi, Sergio Paoletti, Daniele P. Salome
  • Patent number: 5429614
    Abstract: An improved drug delivery system and method for reconstituting drugs are provided. The system allows the delivery of a medicament from a drug vial (40) directly into an intravenous line to a patient. The system provides a method and an apparatus that insures that the drug vial (40) is properly pierced and the vial (40) is locked into an activated position when it is desired to use the same. To this end, a vial retaining member (50) for coupling the vial (40) to a cartridge (12) including a cannula (22) is provided. The retaining member (50) includes a cannula centering member extending from an end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Richard A. Rollins, Mark A. Hoekwater
  • Patent number: 5423794
    Abstract: An intravenous container has a siphoning port which permits use with differently sized piercing pins. The container has an access port through which the piercing pin is inserted into the container. A siphon area is provided which is in operative relationship with the access port, is dimensioned to accommodate the piercing pin, and which is in fluid communication with the solution in the container. The piercing pin is inserted into the container through the access port and positioned within the siphon area to create a siphoning effect for maximizing the use of the solution in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Wayne F. Adolf, Sheldon M. Wecker
  • Patent number: 5395365
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed package is provided for the administration of a solution or other liquid to a patient. The package includes a blow molded container, cap, and releasable cover. The cap accommodates piercing of the cap and container with a draining spike. The cap has one or more self-closing seals or liners and can be disposed on the container so as to permit penetration of the cap and container by a piercing spike without contacting the parting line of the molded container. The cap includes a special structure for guiding the spike at the initiation of the piercing process, and the cap has an improved structure for sealingly engaging the spike upon insertion. As the container is drained, one of the container walls collapses toward the other to facilitate the draining process and provide a convenient shape for subsequent handling and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard H. Weiler, Henry Komendowski
  • Patent number: 5379907
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided an elastomeric stopper for a medication container, the stopper being adapted to be pierced by a hypodermic needle or used in conjunction with standard luer nozzle fittings. In a preferred embodiment the stopper comprises an elastomeric plug adapted to make a friction fit in an opening of the medication container, the plug having an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the plug comprising a tear-away member formed integrally with the plug, the interior surface of the plug having a blocked passageway which opens away from the exterior surface of the plug and defines a conical taper, the passageway being blocked by the tear-away member. The tear-away member defines opposite faces of a thin diaphragm formed integrally with the plug, the diaphragm being of a thickness which permits the diaphragm to be ruptured by inserting a hypodermic needle therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sterling Winthrop Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Ronald B. Vacek, Rafael DeJesus
  • Patent number: 5368177
    Abstract: An infusion bottle having a partial section of its bottom wall which bulges outward in a cup-like manner and which can be pierced in the region of its bottom wall by an infusion spike. A cup-shaped cover cap is provided which can be placed thereon from the outside and connected in liquid-tight manner. The cover cap has a cover bottom with a central region which can be removed. A clamping ring for the infusion spike is located between the cover bottom and the bottom wall of the bottle. The clamping ring is in the form of an O-ring and has an inside diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the central region. The clamping ring contacts the bottom wall of the bottle and the cover bottom with initial tension and has an outside diameter which is greater than that of the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: POHL GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Derksen
  • Patent number: 5364386
    Abstract: An infusion unit has a flexible container and an open-ended pipe having a first opening in communication with the container and a second opening axially opposite the first. The pipe has smaller and larger diameter portions with the smaller diameter portion located between the second opening and the larger diameter portion. An axially moveable plug is receivable within the smaller diameter portion to seal the second opening of the pipe. An axially moveable engaging member with an end for engaging the plug and a needle at the opposite end for piercing the stopper of a vial. The plug may be pushed by the engaging member from the smaller diameter section to the larger diameter section so as to permit flow through the pipe between the first and second openings to the vial and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hikari Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisaji Fukuoka, Tatsuji Yoshida, Suminori Kobayashi, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5360410
    Abstract: A disposable two-component safety syringe with retractable injection needle adapted for the separate storage of medicament and medicament solvent and the pre-injection mixing thereof. The cartridge-type syringe is adapted to be used manually or in conjunction with an automatic injection/aspiration device for breaching a temporary seal between chambers for the medicament and medicament solvent immediately prior to injection are also provided. Pre-measured medicament is provided in a form which requires no pre-injection agitation. The cartridge is also provided with an injection needle disposed completely within the cartridge housing for safely and sanitarily withdrawing the injection needle to reside completely within the disposable cartridge after use. In one embodiment of the invention, a pushrod for automatically agitating the mixing components is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Senetek PLC
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Wacks
  • Patent number: 5358501
    Abstract: The storage bottle (10) contains a component of a medicinal solution (13) and a transfer device (11) for transferring it, after mixture with a solvent, into a container for final use. This bottle comprises a narrow neck (12) in which there engages, during the storage phase, a sealing element (15) composed of two elements: a first element (16a) consisting of a solid elastomeric plug and a second element (16b) consisting of an elastomeric toric connection. One opening at least empties into the space formed between the first and the second element of the sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France S.A.
    Inventor: Gabriel Meyer
  • Patent number: 5356406
    Abstract: For interconnecting a syringe with a barrel and needle to a bottle of medicine wherein the bottle has a generally cylindrical cap with a central target zone of relatively small diameter to be pierced by the needle, wherein the adaptor includes a body having a first end with a truncated cone-shaped mouth converging from the first end and an opposite end with a recess sized to receive the bottle cap, the cone-shaped surface of the mouth being adapted to guide the needle into generally co-axial alignment with the bottle and toward the target zone of the bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Steven Schraga
  • Patent number: 5354287
    Abstract: An injector for delivering fluid to a preselected internal target tissue while avoiding fluid exposure to surface tissue. A needle housing assembly is concealed within a cartridge having a puncturable end cap and an ampule is also disposed within the cartridge separate from the needle housing assembly. The cartridge has a cylindrical bore which widens at one end such that the needle housing assembly which has walls while located within the narrower portion of the cylindrical bore prevents the ampule from being punctured by a hollow injection needle supported by the needle housing assembly. When the ampule is propelled toward the needle housing assembly with a plunger, the needle housing assembly enters the widened portion of the cylindrical bore, allowing its walls to be separated such that the hollow injection needle extends into the ampule allowing the fluid to be delivered from the ampule through the hollow injection needle to the internal target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Senetek PLC
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Wacks
  • Patent number: 5352196
    Abstract: A vial (2, 202) has first and second chambers (56, 232; 54, 234) initially separated by a rupturable barrier (20, 212). The first chamber is a variable volume chamber defined by a cylinder (18, 208), the rupturable barrier at the second end (19, 214) of the cylinder and a piston (14, 228). The second chamber is created by a telescoping container (22, 226) mounted to a second end of the cylinder. The chambers are telescopically collapsed causing fluid pressure in the second chamber to rupture the barrier so the components mix in the first chamber. The piston is driven through the cylinder from pre-mix to post-mix positions by the liquid from the second chamber. This dislodges a safety shield (30, 226) at the first end of the cylinder to expose the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Habley Medical Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry M. Haber, Clark B. Foster, William H. Smedley
  • Patent number: 5348548
    Abstract: Bottle (10) for storage and transfer with dual compartments (11 and 12) separated during storage by a movable intermediate seal (13). The bottle (10) also has a narrow neck (15) in which a sealing device engages comprising an elastomeric sealing member (61) and a capsule (17) attached to said member. The capsule extends toward the outside into a tip (18) in which there is a closing valve (63) urged by a spring (62) which supports a disc (60b) of a rigid element (60) attached to the inside of the sealing member (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France S.A.
    Inventors: Gabriel Meyer, Joseph Meyer
  • Patent number: 5342346
    Abstract: A fluid container comprises a drug container, a deformable solvent container, a double-pointed hollow needle having a sharp piercing edge at each end and being arranged between the drug container and the solvent container, a guide capsule with a cap rotatably mounted thereon, and a means for converting rotary motion of the cap to a linear motion of the drug container to push the drug container toward the solvent container in cooperation with the cap and the guide capsule so that a fluid communication is made between two containers through the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Honda, Masanobu Iwasa, Tetuzi Miyamoto, Koji Ikeda, Toshihiro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5342347
    Abstract: A drug container is sealed by an annular packing arranged on an open end of a container body, a spherical closing member held on the annular packing, and a cap-like holder fitted on the mouth portion of the container body. In use, the drug container is screwed to a solvent container assembly having a partition wall with a pushing rod. The spherical closing member is pushed out from the packing by the pushing rod and then the partition wall is broken out by the holder of the drug container to communicate the container body with the solvent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kikuchi, Koji Ikeda, Hitoshi Futagawa
  • Patent number: 5336180
    Abstract: An apparatus for controllably intermixing two or more components in a sterile, closed environment to produce a flowable substance and then for expelling the flowable substance from the apparatus at a precisely controlled rate. The apparatus is particularly useful for medical applications and includes a dispenser portion with its own stored energy element provided in the form of an elastomeric membrane and a coupling mechanism for coupling a drug vial to the dispenser portion for controlled mixing a medicament contained within the drug vial with a diluent stored within the dispenser portion of the apparatus via a sterile pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Science Incorporated
    Inventors: Marshall S. Kriesel, Thomas N. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5334162
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly for holding a lyophilized product, forming a disposable portion of a pen injector includes a cylindrical glass cartridge adapted to receive the product, a closure cap, a cartridge case, and a plunger mechanism. The closure cap is adapted to retain an elastomeric disc seal during lyophilization and includes diametrically opposed ledges. The closure cap and seal are adapted to cover a neck portion of the ampule, the neck portion having on its end a radially extending circumferential flange. The ledges of the closure cap and the flange of the neck portion allow the closure cap to remain open during lyophilization, oxygen purge and nitrogen overlay. An oval-shaped indentation formed on the inside of the closure cap aids in snapping the closure cap about the flange without crimping to retain the closure cap underneath the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventor: Dale C. Harris
  • Patent number: 5334178
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical container comprises a housing with a wall structure and bottom defining an inner volume, a pierceable diaphragm sealingly positioned within an opening in the housing, and a protective cover received over the diaphragm. The diaphragm has at least one fluid check valve integrally formed therein and affording one way fluid communication from ambient toward the inner volume of the housing when the fluid pressure inside the container is less than ambient. The protective cover has one or more openings in fluid communication with the diaphragm check valves either via a set of grooves formed in the upper surface of the diaphragm or through a path provided by a spacer positioned between the cover and the diaphragm. A tear away seal covers the holes in the cover to prevent air flow toward the check valves prior to initial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Habley Medical Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry M. Haber, William H. Smedley, Clark B. Foster
  • Patent number: 5332113
    Abstract: A cap assembly for an enteral feeding container having an inner and outer cap. The inner cap has an upper end forming a tray with an inner peripheral lip and an outer peripheral lip, A flexible inner membrane covers the inner side of the tray of the inner cap to form a seal between the neck of the container and the tray. An outer membrane is placed over the outer side of the tray to form a sealed chamber, A cavity containing an appropriate disinfectant is centrally formed in the tray for receiving an enteral feeding tube spike when the outer membrane is removed, Access to the cavity is achieved by first removing the outer cap, then stripping away the outer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceutical Research Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Kusler, III, Leonard W. Cooke
  • Patent number: 5332399
    Abstract: Packaging of highly toxic materials entails incorporating safety improvement so as not to endanger patients and health care workers. Such safety improvements include the use of suitable sealing members between the glass vials and the protective covering therefor and various means to ensure that vials of highly toxic materials can not be inadvertently interconnected to single treatment I.V. bags, for instance, by making the connecting means on the vials and the single treatment diluent bags incompatible with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard W. Grabenkort, Ralph M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 5330899
    Abstract: A sterile inoculation assembly includes an inoculation device (20), a storage container (84) and a handling tool (60). The inoculation device (20) includes an elongated body (22) having an inoculation end (26) and an opposed gripping end (24). The container (84) is formed with at least one cavity (86) with an opening (88) thereto. The cavity (86) is dimensioned to receive the inoculation device (20) in an orientation which permits the gripping end (24) to be grasped through the opening (88). A sheet-like cover (98) is positioned across the opening (88) to seal it and to retain the inoculation device (20) in the cavity (86). The cover (98) is capable of being punctured for grasping of the gripping end (24) and removal of the inoculation device (20) by a handling tool (60). This handling tool (60) telescopically engages the gripping end (24) for releasible securement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Bio-Plas, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald H. DeVaughn
  • Patent number: 5330464
    Abstract: A frangible seal for a fluid path including a frangible seal member secured within a tube defining the fluid path. The frangible seal member having a tubular seal member and a stem extending from the tubular seal member which, upon bending back and forth, breaks away from the seal member thereby to rupture the tubular seal in the fluid path. The tubular seal member and stem are integrally formed of a non-PVC material. The tubular seal member will bond to PVC tubing during steam heating thereof. The tubular seal member and stem are constructed to provide uniform non-reclosable rupturing. The stem includes vanes with spurs that frictionally engage the inner walls of the tube to maintain separation of the stem and ruptured tubular seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Mathias, Jean-Claude Bernes, Ermenegildo Lavezzo, Jack Debrauwere
  • Patent number: 5328464
    Abstract: An apparatus for controllably intermixing two or more components in a sterile, closed environment to produce a flowable substance and then for expelling the flowable substance from the apparatus at a precisely contolled rate. The apparatus is particularly useful for medical applications and includes a dispenser portion with its own stored energy element provided in the form of an elastomeric membrane and a coupling mechanism for coupling a drug vial to the dispenser portion for controlled mixing a medicament contained within the drug vial with a diluent stored within the dispenser portion of the apparatus via a sterile pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Science Incorporated
    Inventors: Marshall S. Kriesel, Thomas Thompson
  • Patent number: 5326534
    Abstract: A liquid collecting tube for receiving blood or liquid for inspection is disclosed, which has a tubular member and a closure member for closing an open end of the tubular member and made of a material capable of being pierced by a piercing needle. The closing member includes a sealing member for holding the open end of the tubular member sealed when taking out the liquid form the tubular member with a take-out tool and a separable member separablly laminated on the outer side of the sealing member. The separable member is removed so that only the sealing member remains on the tubular member when taking out liquid. The sealing member is film-like and can be readily broken by the take-out tool such as a pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sakae Yamazaki, Takato Murashita
  • Patent number: 5326535
    Abstract: A blood collection container is coated on its inside wall with a unitarily immobilized clotting activator. The activator may be applied to the surface by an adhesive or by rendering the inside wall surface sticky with a solvent and partially absorbing the activator into the sticky surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Erwin A. Vogler, Jane C. Graper, Garry R. Harper
  • Patent number: 5324258
    Abstract: A medicament reservoir module for attachment to a pumping and control module includes a conventional medicament vial closed at one end by a penetrable stopper, which is inserted to operate as a piston in the vial. A hollow needle, attached to an adaptor that releasibly connects to the stopper, pierces the stopper and provides a medicament flow path via a slack length of flexible tubing from the vial to a peristaltic pump in the pumping and control module. A housing supports the vial, encloses the adaptor, hollow needle, and slack tubing, and releasibly connects to the pumping and control module. Thereby, a detachable reservoir module is provided, permitting quick and reliable resupply of medicament directly from filled standard vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: F. H. Faulding & Co. Limited
    Inventor: John Rohrbough
  • Patent number: RE35167
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a vial cap is provided which has two openings, one for receiving the neck of a syringe and allowing medicine to flow into the syringe, and another for allowing air to flow into the vial as medicine is extracted. A safety lid to the vial cap is preferably provided for assuring sterility. A membrane may also be provided to cover the interior surface of the vial cap so that no medicine leaks into the region between the vial cap and its safety lid while the medicine is being transported and stored.The shape and size of the two openings may be varied according to the application, in particular according to the material used for the cap and the medicine being stored in the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventors: Marvin L. Mouchawar, Alan E. Mouchawar