# US 9,254,242 B2 · Connector device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,254,242 B2 - Document ID: US9254242B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/049,329 - Filed: 2013-10-09 - Published: 2014-02-06 - Granted: 2016-02-09 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-12 - Assignees: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc. - Applicants: Roche Diagnostics International AG - Inventors: Marcel Mueller; Maurice Ducret - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9254242B2 ## CPC - A61J 1/2065: {having aligning and guiding means} - A61J 1/1406: {Septums, pierceable membranes} - A61J 1/2089: {Containers or vials which are to be joined to each other in order to mix their contents (combinations of vial and syringe for mixing their contents A61J1/2096)} - A61J 1/2013: {having two piercing ends} - A61J 1/2051: {having tap means, e.g. tap means activated by sliding} - A61J 1/2055: {having gripping means} - A61M 39/14: for connecting tubes having sealed ends {(needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26)} - A61M 2039/0027: {for mixing several substances from different containers} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A connector device for connecting two containers with first and second members slidably displaceable in regard to each other along an axis between a first and a second position is presented. The first member comprises a needle parallel to the axis so that the first container's septum is penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into the first member. The second member comprises a coupling to the second container. The other needle end penetrates the second container's septum when the members are in the second position establishing a connection between the two containers. The first member comprises a coupling to the second container coupled to the second member. The first member can couple to the second container when the two members are in the second position and cannot couple to the second container when the two members are in the first position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector device configured for fluidly connecting two containers with two members that are slidably displaceable in regard to each other along an axis between a first and a second position, the connector device comprising: a first member comprising a needle with two ends arranged parallel to the axis in such a way that a septum of a first container can be penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into a receptacle of the first member; a second member comprising a releasable coupling to a second container wherein the other end of the needle does not come into contact with a septum of the second container coupled to the second member when the members are in the first position, and the other needle end penetrates the septum of the second container when the members are in the second position for establishing a fluid connection between the two containers; wherein the first member comprises a releasable coupling to the second container that is coupled to the second member and wherein the coupling of the first member couples to the second container when the two members are in the second position and cannot couple to the second container when the two members are in the first position; wherein the coupling of the second member and the coupling of the first member comprise a plurality of pawls that are adapted to engage with a neck of the second container; and wherein the pawls of the first member run in slots on the second member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a guiding structure and the second member comprises a guiding structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the two guiding structures abut each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The connector device according to claim 2, wherein one of the guiding structures of the two members comprises a handle or grip area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the guiding structure of one of the two members comprises one or more guiding ribs that run in guiding slots of the guiding structure of the other one of the two members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the guiding structure of one of the two members has one or more cams that run in grooves on the guiding structure of the other one of the two members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector device according to claim 6, wherein a stopper is provided in the one or more grooves which is able to restrict the movement of the cam in the groove in one or two directions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector device according to claim 1, wherein a container can be coupled to the second member of the connector device when the first and second members are in the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A septum sealed container comprising a connector device according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The septum sealed container according to claim 9, wherein the first member and the second member of the connector device are in the first position and the second member is coupled to the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A kit comprising one or more connector devices according to claim 1 and one or more septum sealed containers, wherein the couplings of the two members couple to the septum sealed containers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method for transferring liquid between two containers, the method comprising: providing a connector device according to claim 1, the first and second members of the connector device being in the first position; attaching the first member of the connector device to a first container, thereby penetrating a septum seal of the first container with the needle of the first member and establishing a fluid connection between first container and needle; coupling a second container to the second member of the connector device; and shifting the first and second members in regard to each other from the first position to the second position, thereby penetrating a septum seal of the second container with the needle of the first member and establishing a fluid connection between the second container and the needle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the last two steps are reversed. ### Claim 14 A connector device configured for fluidly connecting two containers, the connector device including two members that are slidably displaceable in regard to each other along an axis between a first and a second position, the connector device comprising: a first member comprising a needle with two ends arranged parallel to the axis in such a way that a septum of a first container can be penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into a receptacle of the first member; a second member comprising a releasable coupling to a second container wherein the other end of the needle is configured to not come into contact with a septum of the second container coupled to the second member when the members are in the first position, and the other needle end is configured to penetrate the septum of the second container when the members are in the second position establishing a fluid connection between the two containers; and wherein the first member comprises a releasable coupling to the second container that is coupled to the second member and wherein the coupling of the first member couples to the second container when the two members are in the second position and cannot couple of the second container when the two members are in the first position; wherein the first member comprises a guiding structure and the second member comprises a guiding structure; and wherein the guiding structure of at least one of the first and second members has one or more cams that run in grooves on the guiding structure of the other one of the first and second members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein at least the coupling of the second member and/or the coupling of the first member comprises a plurality of pawls that engage with a neck of the second container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein the coupling of the second member and the coupling of the first member comprise a plurality of pawls that engage with a neck of the second container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The connector device according to claim 16, wherein the pawls of the first member run in slots on the second member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein the two guiding structures abut each other. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein one of the guiding structures of the two members comprises a handle or a grip area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein the guiding structure of one of the two members comprises one or more guiding ribs that run in guiding slots of the guiding structure of the other one of the two members. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein a stopper is provided in the one or more grooves which is able to restrict the movement of the cam in the groove in one or two directions. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The connector device according to claim 14, wherein a container is coupled to the second member of the connector device when the two members are in the first position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) A septum sealed container comprising a connector device according to claim 14. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The septum sealed container according to claim 23, wherein the two members of the connector device are in the first position and the second member is coupled to the container. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) A kit comprising one or more connector devices according to claim 14 and one or more septum sealed containers, wherein the couplings of the two members couple to the septum sealed containers. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) A method for transferring liquid between two containers, the method comprising: providing a connector device according to claim 14, the two members of the connector device being in the first position; attaching the first member of the connector device to a first container, thereby penetrating a septum seal of the first container with the needle of the first member and establishing a fluid connection between first container and needle; coupling a second container to the second member of the connector device; and shifting the two members in regard to each other from the first position to the second position, thereby penetrating a septum seal of the second container with the needle of the first member and establishing a fluid connection between the second container and the needle. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method according to claim 26, wherein the last two steps are reversed.