Syringe-vial material transfer interconnector
AssigneeCeramed Corporation
InventorsLawrence A. Shimp, L. Brian Starling, Frank L. Cordova
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interconnect connects a vial to a syringe for the transfer of material to the syringe or back to the vial. The interconnect includes a vial connecting mechanism and a tapered sleeve to receive the syringe. A metering port allows control of the material transfer rate and prevents partial transfers which could cause material spillage.
Claims8
A method for the regulated gravity transfer of solid granule material between a vial and a syringe, comprising the steps of attaching the syringe to the vial with an interconnector having a generally tubular conduit with an annular surface on the upper opening to receive the syringe and a lower opening in communication with the vial interior, said tubular conduit having an annular flow-impeding port in said lower opening with a constant cross-section aperture and a granular flow-impeding annular shoulder on its lower side to impede the flow of granules from the vial to the syringe;
- partially inverting the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial so that said vial is at a higher level than said syringe, and striking said assembly to disturb the equilibrium of the granules, to allow the gravity transfer of granules from the vial past the flow-impeding port and through said tubular conduit and into the syringe;
- returning the assembled syringe, interconnector and vial to a partially upright position to prevent the gravity transfer of granules past the flow-impeding port;
- and detaching the syringe from the interconnector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.