Transfer set with floating needle for drug reconstitution

An adapter assembly for establishing a bidirectional fluid connection between a cartridge and a vial comprising:

• a housing having an open first end adapted to engage the cartridge and a second open end adapted to engage the vial;
• and
• a needle assembly comprising a needle having a first tip and a second tip, the needle assembly being disposed within the housing and at least partially supported by a needle holder, the needle assembly being moveable relative to the housing from an initial position in which the cartridge and the vial are engaged with the housing and the first tip of the needle and the second tip of the needle are isolated from both the cartridge and from the vial, to an end of use position, in which the first tip of the needle is engaged with the vial and the second tip of the needle is engaged with the cartridge, thereby establishing fluid communication between the cartridge and the vial,
• wherein the needle assembly is maintained in the initial position by a locking structure which is released by rotationally advancing the needle holder relative to the housing, thereby releasing the needle holder and allowing the needle holder to move axially within the housing, and
• wherein the locking structure comprises a locking hole and riser defined within the housing and a latch tab extending from the needle holder which is engaged with the locking hole and riser when the needle holder is locked in the initial position, and which is released from the locking hole and riser when the needle holder is rotationally advanced relative to the housing.

An adapter assembly for establishing a bidirectional fluid connection between a cartridge and a vial comprising:

• a housing having an interior, an open first end adapted to engage the cartridge, and a second open end adapted to engage the vial;
• a slider axially moveable along the interior of the housing from an initial position to an end of use position, the slider comprising a port adapted to receive a portion of the cartridge therein;
• and
• a needle assembly disposed within the housing comprising a needle having a first tip and a second tip and a needle holder at least partially supporting the needle, the needle assembly moveable relative to the housing and capable of being advanced through the housing by the slider,
• wherein the slider is maintained in the initial position by a locking structure which is released by rotational advancement to allow the slider to move within the housing, and
• wherein, with the slider in the initial position, the adapter housing is configured to engage the cartridge and the vial, while the first tip of the needle and the second tip of the needle are isolated from both the cartridge and the vial.

A transfer set comprising:

• a vial having an open end, a closed bottom end and a sidewall defining an interior, the vial having a substance disposed within the interior and a septum closing the open end;
• a cartridge having a cartridge port for engagement with an adapter assembly and a plunger connected to a moveable stopper disposed within an interior of the cartridge configured to expel a liquid from the interior of the cartridge;
• and
• an adapter assembly for establishing a fluid connection between the vial and the cartridge, comprising:
• a housing having a first open end adapted to engage the cartridge and a second open end adapted to engage the vial;
• and
• a needle assembly comprising a needle having a first tip and a second tip, the needle assembly disposed within the housing and at least partially supported by a needle holder, the needle assembly moveable relative to the housing from an initial position in which the cartridge and the vial are engaged with the housing and the first tip of the needle and the second tip of the needle are isolated from both the cartridge and the vial, to an end of use position, in which the first tip of the needle is engaged with the vial and the second tip of the needle is engaged with the cartridge, thereby establishing fluid communication between the cartridge and the vial,
• wherein the needle assembly is maintained in the initial position by a locking structure which is released by twisting the housing about the needle holder, thereby releasing the needle holder and allowing the needle holder to move axially within the housing.