Automated system for adding multiple fluids to a single container

A device for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the pressure conduit having a first end in fluid communication with said chamber and a second end, said pressure conduit also having an air filter between said first and second ends, said air filter creating a sterile barrier between the interior of said pressure conduit and the environment the invention comprising:

• first occlusion means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;
• pressure means for selectively creating positive and negative pressures in said chamber to control the rate of fluid flow through said chamber, said pressure mean being in fluid communication with said second end of said pressure conduit;
• second occlusion means for selectively occluding fluid flow from said chamber outlet fluid conduit to said receiving container;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said occlusion means to allow fluid to flow through at least one of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second occlusion means to prevent fluid flow into said receiving container and simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a negative pressure in said chamber to precisely control the amount of fluid flow into said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent fluid flow through all of said individual fluid conduits after a predetermined amount of fluid has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit while simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure in said chamber to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container.

A device for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the invention comprising:

• first occlusion means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;
• pressure means for selectively creating positive and negative pressures in said chamber to control the rate of fluid flow through said chamber;
• second occlusion means for selectively occluding fluid flow from said chamber outlet fluid conduit to said receiving container said second occlusion means being normally biased in a closed position to occlude said chamber outlet fluid conduit;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said occlusion means to allow fluid to flow through at least one of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second occlusion means to prevent fluid flow into said receiving container and simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a negative pressure in said chamber to precisely control the amount of fluid flow into said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent fluid flow through all of said individual fluid conduits after a predetermined amount of fluid has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit while simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure in said chamber to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container.

A device for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the invention comprising:

• first occlusion means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;
• pressure means for selectively creating positive and negative pressures in said chamber to control the rate of fluid flow through said chamber;
• second occlusion means for selectively occluding fluid flow from said chamber outlet fluid conduit to said receiving container;
• sensing means for sensing the amount of fluid in said chamber during operation of said device and for generating weight signals related to the amount of fluid in said chamber;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said first occlusion means to allow fluid to flow through at least one of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second occlusion means to prevent fluid flow into said receiving container and simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a negative pressure in said chamber to precisely control the amount of fluid flow into said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent fluid flow through all of said individual fluid conduits after a predetermined amount of fluid has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit while simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure in said chamber to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container.

A method for transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a single chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the invention comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving source container indicating signals from an operator of said device, said source container indicating signals indicating the particular ones of said individual fluids to be transferred from said particular ones of said source containers to said receiving container and receiving amount indicating signals from an operator of said device, said amount indicating signals indicating the amount of each of said particular ones of said individual fluids to be transferred from said particular ones of said source containers to said receiving container;
• (b) allowing fluid to flow from at least one of said source containers as indicated by said source container indicating signals into said chamber while preventing fluid to flow from said chamber to said receiving container;
• (c) sensing the amount of fluid transferred from said least one of said source containers into said chamber;
• (d) preventing fluid from flowing from said at least one of said source containers into said chamber after the amount of fluid indicated by said amount indicating signals has entered said chamber;
• and
• (e) allowing fluid to flow from said chamber to said receiving container.

A device for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the invention comprising:

• first occlusion means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;
• pressure means for selectively creating positive and negative pressures in said chamber to control the rate of fluid flow through said chamber;
• second occlusion means for selectively occluding fluid flow from said chamber outlet fluid conduit to said receiving container;
• sensing means for sensing the amount of fluid in said chamber during operation of said device and for generating signals related to the amount of fluid in said chamber;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said first occlusion means to allow fluid to flow through at least one of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second occlusion means to prevent fluid flow into said receiving container and simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a negative pressure in said chamber to precisely control the amount of fluid flow into said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent fluid flow through all of said individual fluid conduits after a predetermined amount of fluid has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit while simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure
• in said chamber to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container, said control means including:
• source container indicating means for receiving source container indicating signals from an operator of said device, said source container indicating signals indicating the particular ones of said individual fluids to be transferred from said particular ones of said source containers to said receiving container;
• and
• amount indicating means for receiving amount indicating signals from an operator of said device, said amount indicating signals indicating the amount of each of said particular ones of said individual fluids to be transferred from said particular ones of said source containers to said receiving container;
• and
• means for operating said first and second occlusion means for allowing fluid to flow from at least one of said source containers as indicated by said source container indicating signals into said chamber while preventing fluid to flow from said chamber to said receiving container and means for preventing fluid from flowing from said at least one of said source containers into said chamber after the amount of fluid indicated by said amount indicating signals has entered said chamber as sensed by said sensing means then allowing fluid to flow from said chamber said receiving container.

A device for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a single chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the single receiving container, the chamber also having a pressure conduit, the invention comprising:

• first occlusion means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;
• pressure means for selectively creating positive and negative pressures in said chamber to control the rate of fluid flow through said chamber;
• second occlusion means for selectively occluding fluid flow from said chamber outlet fluid conduit to said receiving container;
• hanger means for receiving and maintaining each of said source containers during operation of the device;
• and
• control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said first occlusion means to allow fluid to flow through at least one of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second occlusion means to prevent fluid flow into said receiving container and simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a negative pressure in said chamber to precisely control the amount of fluid flow into said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent fluid flow through all of said individual fluid conduits after a predetermined amount of fluid has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit while simultaneously causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure in said chamber to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container.

A transfer set for use in an automatic compounding device including a load cell and a differential pressure source, said transfer set when in use providing selective fluid flow between a plurality of individual fluid source containers and a single receiving container, said transfer set comprising:

• (a) a measuring chamber having a lower portion and an upper portion, said measuring chamber adapted to be suspended from said load cell;
• (b) a single fluid outlet conduit attached to said lower portion of said measuring chamber, said single fluid outlet conduit providing selective fluid communication between said measuring chamber and said single receiving container;
• (c) a manifold secured to said upper portion of said measuring chamber, said manifold having a plurality of connector conduits projecting therefrom and providing fluid communication therethrough;
• (d) a plurality of individual fluid inlet conduits, each conduit having a first end, a second end, and a soft occlusion portion, said second end of each individual fluid inlet conduits being attached to one of said plurality of connector conduits of said manifold;
• (e) a plurality of individual spike being secured to said first end of said fluid inlet conduits, said spikes when in use providing fluid communication between said individual fluid source containers and said fluid inlet conduits;
• and
• (f) a pressure conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being secured to one of said connector conduits projecting from said manifold, said second end adapted to be attached to said differential pressure source of said automatic compounding device.