Method and apparatus for operating a syringe and vial for injections

A method for aligning a syringe (22) with a vial (20) comprising the steps of:

• securing a first vial (20) by removably engaging the first vial (20) with an alignment body (25) to at least restrict motion of the first vial (20) transverse to an alignment axis (30) extending axially from an access port (42) of the first vial (20) when the first vial is secured;
• securing a first syringe (22) by laterally moving the first syringe (22) toward the alignment body (25) in a direction transverse to the alignment axis (30), engaging a barrel (56) of the first syringe (22) with a first engagement surface of the alignment body (25) which aligns the first syringe (22) with the alignment axis (30), and axially moving the first syringe (22) along the first engagement surface in general alignment with the alignment axis (30) to engage the syringe (22) with a second engagement surface which limits motion of the first syringe (22) in any direction transverse to the alignment axis (30) such that a needle (58) of the syringe (22) is aligned with and the access port (42) of the vial (20);
• and
• reusing the alignment body (25) by removing the first vial (20) and the first syringe (22) therefrom and removably securing a second vial (20) and a second syringe (22) hereto.

A device for aligning a syringe with a vial comprising:

• a body having a vial alignment portion, a syringe alignment portion, and an alignment axis extending between the vial alignment portion and the syringe alignment portion;
• the vial alignment portion having at least one vial engagement surface adapted to align a vial with the alignment axis and to inhibit axial displacement of the vial along the alignment axis;
• and
• the syringe alignment portion adapted to align a syringe with the alignment axis and to limit lateral displacement of the syringe from the alignment axis, the syringe alignment portion including a guide surface formed on the body and extending along a portion of the alignment axis, the guide surface adapted to slidably guide and support a portion of a syringe, the guide surface having a forward base portion which is substantially located below the alignment axis and open above the alignment axis for laterally receiving a syringe, and two lateral guide surfaces located on opposite sides of the alignment axis aft of the forward base portion, the lateral guide surfaces each including a portion which projects toward the other to define a gap, the gap being located above the alignment axis and having a width that is less than the width of the opening in the forward base portion, the lateral guide surfaces adapted to limit lateral displacement of a syringe.

A device for aligning a syringe with a vial comprising:

• a body having a vial alignment portion, a syringe alignment portion, and an alignment axis extending between the vial alignment portion and the syringe alignment portion;
• the vial alignment portion having at least one vial engagement surface adapted to align a vial with the alignment axis and to inhibit axial displacement of the vial along the alignment axis;
• and
• the syringe alignment portion adapted to align a syringe with the alignment axis and to limit lateral displacement of the syringe from the alignment axis, the syringe alignment portion including a channel adapted to slidingly guide a syringe along the alignment axis, the channel having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, the channel having a forward guide portion which is substantially open on one side of the alignment axis, and two lateral guide surfaces extending upward from the channel aft of the forward guide portion, the lateral guide surfaces curving inward toward one another, the lateral guide surfaces having upper edges which define a gap that is less than the side opening in the forward guide portion, the lateral guide surfaces adapted to inhibit lateral displacement of a syringe.

A method for aligning a syringe with a vial comprising the steps of:

• providing an alignment body having a vial alignment portion, a syringe alignment portion and an alignment axis extending between the vial alignment portion and the syringe alignment portion;
• securing a vial to the vial alignment portion by removably engaging the vial with the alignment body to limit movement of the vial transverse to an alignment axis;
• and
• securing a syringe to the syringe alignment portion by laterally moving the syringe toward the alignment body in a direction transverse to the alignment axis to engage a barrel of the syringe with a first guide surface formed on the alignment body which aligns the syringe with the alignment axis, and axially sliding the syringe along the first guide surface in a direction substantially along the alignment axis causing the syringe to engage with a second engagement surface which limits motion of the syringe transverse to the alignment axis, the securing of the syringe placing a needle of the syringe in alignment with an access port of the vial.