US 5,653,686 A · Closed vial transfer method and system

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.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method of transferring a blood sample between two closed vials comprising:

providing a first closed vial with at least with at least a blood sample therein;
piercing said first closed vial with at least a first vent needle to vent said first closed vial substantially to atmospheric pressure;
piercing said first closed vial with at least a first end of a substantially integral transfer needle spaced from said vent needle;
providing a second closed vial having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure and providing a negative pressure differential between said first and second closed vials;
and
piercing said second closed vial with at least a second end of said transfer needle to transfer a blood sample aliquot from said first closed vial to said second closed vial;
wherein said vent needle, said first end of said transfer needle and second end of said transfer needle are fully enclosed by a tubular member to eliminate human contact to an exposed needle or said blood.

4 more elements

A transfer device for transferring a blood sample between a first and second closed vial having a pressure differential therebetween, the first closed vial containing at least a first blood sample therein comprising:

a housing including a first substantially tubular portion having a vent needle enclosed in said tubular portion and extending to a first position for piercing said first closed vial when inserted into said first tubular portion to said first position to vent said first closed vial, said first tubular portion further enclosing a substantially integral transfer needle having a first end extending to a second position removed from said first position for piecing said first closed vial after said vent needle in said second position, and
said housing including a second tubular portion having a second end of said transfer needle fully enclosed therein and extending to a transfer position for piercing said second closed vial when inserted into said second tubular portion to said transfer position to transfer a portion of said blood sample from said first to said second closed vial utilizing said pressure differential wherein said vent needle, said first end of said transfer needle and second end of said transfer needle are fully enclosed by said tubular portion to eliminate human contact to an exposed needle or said blood.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Closed vial transfer method and system

Life of this patent

Closed vial transfer method and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32