Vial adaptors and vials for regulating pressure
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorThomas F. Fangrow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial includes a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial includes a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
Claims9
A method of manufacturing a pressure regulating device for use with a vial, the method comprising:
- providing a connector configured to couple the device with a vial;
- providing a piercing member having a sheath extending from a base of the piercing member, the piercing member configured to be inserted into the vial when then device is coupled with the vial;
- forming an elongate extractor aperture in the sheath, the extractor aperture positioned within a region spaced from the base of the piercing member;
- attaching a bag to the connector, the bag configured to be expanded or unfolded inside the vial;
- and
- positioning the bag to move from a first orientation substantially unexpanded or folded to a second orientation at least partially expanded or unfolded and at least partially inside the vial;
- wherein the bag comprises a layer that is substantially impermeable to a medicinal fluid disposed within the vial, thereby impeding the passage of said medicinal fluid between an outer surface and an inner surface of the bag;
- and
- wherein the device regulates the pressure in the vial such that, as the medicinal fluid is withdrawn from the vial, the bag will expand or unfold in order to substantially equilibrate pressure on opposite sides of the bag.
A method of manufacturing a medical adaptor comprising:
- providing a housing comprising a skirt and a piercing member;
- attaching a balloon to an outer surface on a distal end of the piercing member;
- inverting the balloon so that at least a portion of the balloon is positioned inside of the piercing member;
- and
- lubricating at least a portion of the balloon after attaching and inverting the balloon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.