Patent Grant
11213456
The invention relates to the field of caps and valves for medical vials, specifically a valve allowing for instant access to a medication vial which does not require the use of a needle or additional attachments.
Liquid medications have long be stored and transported within small vials which are principally comprised of glass or plastic. The vial typically is formed with an internal volume and comprises a cap disposed over a top portion of the vial. The cap may be coupled to the vial through a corresponding pair of threads or may “snap” onto the vial through a friction fit. However, by far the most common type of cap disposed on many vials is a metal ring with a rubber or other self-sealing material disposed in the center thereof. Many medication vials also comprise a removable foil seal or other lid which functions as a safety seal or tamper proof seal to let the user know if the medication within the vial has been previously accessed.
The most common and simplest way to withdraw medication from the medication vial of the prior art is to insert the needle of a syringe so that the needle penetrates the rubber seal and enters the medication beneath. The user then withdraws the plunger of the syringe which draws the medication up through the needle and into the syringe. When the proper dosage of medication has been withdrawn, the needle is pulled out of the vial with the rubber seal automatically self-sealing the cap as soon as the needle has been removed. The now medication-filled syringe may then be used directly on a patient or alternatively inserted into an intravenous line as is known in the art. However, because a needle is being used, this increases the risk that the user accidently sticks or punctures themselves with the needle, especially if the user is trying withdraw medication quickly or is in a moving vehicle such as an ambulance.
Additional devices and methods have also been developed that allows user to withdraw medication from a medication vial using a needleless syringe. These devices principally include a housing or other attachment which is selectively coupled to a standard medication vial along with an internal needle or plunger disposed therein. The user inserts a needless syringe into the device which in turn actuates the internal needle or plunger so that it penetrates the self-sealing rubber seal of the medication vial, allowing medication to be drawn therefrom. The device also comprises a spring or other resilient means for retracting the needle or plunger automatically as soon as the needleless syringe is removed from the device. Some variations of the device also comprise a luer-lock or other means for temporarily locking or connecting the needleless-syringe to the medication vial attachment. However another problem develops since these attachments require the user to first properly couple the attachment to the medication vial before the needleless syringe may be attached which can be a costly time consuming process, especially if the medication being given to the patient is required during an emergency. Additionally, having an attachment device requires additional storage space which may not always be readily available, particularly if the user withdrawing the medication is a paramedic or firefighter and storage space is at a premium.
What is needed therefore is a sealing device for a medication vial which is quick and easy to use and which does not require the use of a needle. The device should also be integrated into the medication vial itself, thereby preventing the need for the user to first attach another device or component to the vial before medication can be withdrawn.
The current invention provides an apparatus for selectively withdrawing a fluid from a medication vial. The apparatus includes a valve disposed within a mouth of the medication vial, a coupling portion coupled to the valve, and a stopper disposed within an internal volume of the valve. The stopper has the ability to vary its vertical position relative to the valve. The valve itself has at least one aperture defined therein. The stopper further includes the ability to close the at least one aperture when in an expanded configuration as well as the ability to open the at least one aperture when in a compressed configuration.
In one embodiment, the ability of the stopper to vary its vertical position relative to the valve is performed by a plurality of compressible pleats that are defined along the height of the stopper.
In another embodiment, the stopper has an internal channel to accommodate the at least one aperture defined in the valve.
In yet another embodiment, the valve includes a central neck with a hollow interior, an inlet defined in a bottom surface of the valve which is fludically communicated to the hollow interior, and a tip coupled to the central neck. In this embodiment, the at least one aperture is defined in the tip. Additionally, the ability of the stopper to close the at least one aperture when in an expanded configuration includes a flange that is configured to close the at least one aperture defined in the tip. Furthermore, the inlet that is defined in the bottom surface of the valve is fluidically communicated to the fluid within the medication vial. This embodiment further includes a top portion of the stopper which is configured to contact the syringe when it is coupled to the coupling portion.
In a related embodiment, the coupling portion of the apparatus includes an external structure for coupling the apparatus to a syringe.
The invention also includes a method for withdrawing a fluid from a vial. The method includes connecting a syringe to a coupling portion which itself is attached to a valve, actuating a stopper disposed within an internal volume of the valve, and opening an aperture defined in the valve. Next, the fluid is withdrawn from the vial through the valve and into the syringe and the aperture defined in the valve is closed. The syringe is the disconnected from the coupling portion. Specifically, actuating the stopper disposed within an internal volume of the valve includes automatically compressing the stopper as the syringe is coupled to the coupling portion, while closing the aperture defined within the valve includes automatically closing the aperture defined within the valve as the syringe is decoupled from the coupling portion.
In one embodiment, closing the aperture defined in the valve specifically includes covering the aperture with a flange disposed on the stopper.
In another embodiment, compressing the stopper as the syringe is coupled to the coupling portion is done by compressing a plurality of pleats defined along a height of the stopper. Relatedly, closing the aperture defined in the valve in this embodiment is done by expanding the plurality of pleats defined along the height of the stopper as the syringe is disconnected from the coupling portion.
In yet another embodiment, actuating the stopper disposed within an internal volume of the valve includes varying a vertical position of the top of the stopper relative to the aperture defined in the valve. More specifically, varying the vertical position of the top of the stopper relative to the aperture defined in the valve is done by varying a vertical position of the top of the stopper relative to a stationary central neck disposed through an internal channel of the stopper.
In a further embodiment, withdrawing the fluid from the vial through the valve and into the syringe includes withdrawing the fluid through a hollow interior defined within a central neck within the valve.
In one embodiment, the method also includes inserting a central neck of the valve into a distal locking portion of the syringe. In this embodiment, the method step of opening the aperture defined in the valve occurs simultaneously as the central neck is inserted into the distal locking portion of the syringe. Additionally, the step of withdrawing the fluid from the vial through the valve and into the syringe in this particular embodiment includes withdrawing the fluid from a tip of the central neck directly into the distal locking portion of the syringe.
In another embodiment, automatically compressing the stopper as the syringe is coupled to the coupling portion is done by specifically pushing a top portion of the stopper with a distal portion of the syringe. Additionally, automatically closing the aperture defined within the valve as the syringe is decoupled from the coupling portion specifically includes relaxing the top portion of the stopper with the distal portion of the syringe.
While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.
The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.
The current invention solves these and other problems by providing a sealing device for a medication vial which is highly efficient and easy to use, even in emergency situations where time and available space can drastically change the treatment of a patient requiring medical attention. The sealing device is seen in the figures and is denoted generally by reference numeral 10. As best seen in the exploded view of
In
The coupling portion 16 further comprises an apron 24 which radially extends in a perpendicular direction relative to the vertical surface of the sleeve 22 and matches a lip 28 which extends radially from a top portion of a cylindrical body portion of the valve 14. The apron 24 and lip 28 remain in contact with each other when the sealing device 10 is in use and both the apron 24 and lip rest upon an outer rim of the seat 11 which in turn remains within a mouth 2 of the medication vial 1.
Turning to
The stopper 13 as seen in
As also seen in
To use the sealing device 10, a needleless syringe 32 or other appropriate device is brought towards the coupling portion 16 after the cap 18 has been removed as seen in
Greater detail of the internal function and coupling of the sealing device 10 is seen in
As the user continues to push the syringe 32 into the sealing device 10, the adapter 34 continues to push into the stopper 13 and move it downward towards the bottom surface of the valve 14, thereby causing it to compress along its height, specifically along its pleats 39 which are integrally formed within the surface of the stopper 13 itself as seen in
After the coupling portion 16 has been fully inserted into the distal locking portion 36 of the syringe 32 and secured as discussed above, the movement of the adapter 34 ceases and the stopper remains in a deformed configuration as seen in
Next, the user actuates a plunger disposed in the syringe 32 to withdraw medication from the medication vial 1 as is known in the art by pulling the plunger proximally away from the medication vial 1. Specifically, medication fluid disposed within the medication vial 1 is drawn into the valve 14 by first entering the hollow interior 33 through the inlet 35. As the user continues to withdraw the plunger, the medication fluid is drawn upward through the hollow interior 33 of the central neck 27 until entering the tip 29 where it then exits through the at least one opening 31 and enters the internal channel 43′ centrally defined through the adapter 34 and then into the internal volume of the syringe 32 itself where the user can observe how much medication fluid has been withdrawn. Once the proper dosage of medication fluid has been obtained, the user stops withdrawal of the plunger within the syringe 32 which in turn stops the flow of fluid through the central neck 27 disposed within the valve 14. Next, the user decouples or removes the syringe 32 from the sealing device 10 by either disengaging the female threads of the distal locking portion 36 from the male threads 20 disposed on the coupling portion 16, or by simply pulling the syringe 32 in the proximal direction away from the medication vial 1 so as to release the friction or interference fit disposed there between. As the adapter 34 is pulled proximally away from the valve 14, the adapter 34 is removed from the sleeve 22 of the coupling portion 16 which allows the stopper 13 to relax or expand back into its initial form as seen in
Having removed from the syringe 32 filled the medication fluid from the sealing device 10, the user may apply a needle to the syringe 32, apply the syringe 32 to an intravenous tube or bag, or perform any other procedure requiring a syringe as is known in the art or later devised. Alternatively, the user may reinsert the syringe 32 into the sealing device 10 and reopen the opening 31 as disclosed above and either draw more medication fluid, or reinject the medication fluid contained within the syringe 32 back into the medication vial 1. Because of the close seated or tight connection which is formed between the syringe 32 and the medication vial 1 via the sealing device 10, anytime medication fluid is taken from or injected into the medication vial 1 air is prevented from being withdrawn by the syringe 32 upon its actuation, thereby allowing the user to immediately withdraw medication fluid without having to adjust for any air which may have been inadvertently permitted to enter the syringe 32. In emergency conditions, this further allows the user to inject or apply the medication fluid or drug more quickly to the patient which in turn could improve their medical treatment or even potentially be lifesaving.
It is to be expressly understood that the valve 14 described above which comprises a central neck 27 and gated by a flexible stopper 13 is meant to be for illustrative purposes only. Other types or forms of valves, gates, or gaskets now known or later devised including but not limited to butterfly valves, check valves, plug valves, and/or pinch valves may be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, an alternative embodiment of the sealing device 50 may be seen in
To use the sealing device 50, and a after a needleless syringe 32 or other appropriate device has been coupled or attached to the coupling portion 16 in the same manner detailed above, the adapter 34 extending from the distal locking portion 36 (not shown in
As the user continues to push the syringe 32 into the sealing device 10, the adapter 34 continues to push into the modified stopper 52 and move it downward towards the bottom surface of the valve 14, thereby causing the spring 54 to compress into a compact configuration seen in
After the coupling portion 16 has been fully inserted into the distal locking portion 36 of the syringe 32 and secured as discussed above, the movement of the adapter 34 ceases and the spring 54 remains in a compressed configuration as seen in
Having removed from the syringe 32 filled the medication fluid from the sealing device 50, the user may apply a needle to the syringe 32, apply the syringe 32 to an intravenous tube or bag, or perform any other procedure requiring a syringe as is known in the art or later devised. Alternatively, the user may reinsert the syringe 32 into the sealing device 50 and reopen the opening 31 as disclosed above and either draw more medication fluid, or reinject the medication fluid contained within the syringe 32 back into the medication vial 1. Because of the close seated or tight connection which is formed between the syringe 32 and the medication vial 1 via the sealing device 50, anytime medication fluid is taken from or injected into the medication vial 1 air is prevented from being withdrawn by the syringe 32 upon its actuation, thereby allowing the user to immediately withdraw medication fluid without having to adjust for any air which may have been inadvertently permitted to enter the syringe 32. In emergency conditions, this further allows the user to inject or apply the medication fluid or drug more quickly to the patient which in turn could improve their medical treatment or even potentially be lifesaving.
Yet another embodiment of the sealing device 60 may be seen in
To use the sealing device 60, and a after a needleless syringe 32 or other appropriate device has been coupled or attached to the coupling portion 16 in the same manner detailed above, the adapter 34 extending from the distal locking portion 36 (not shown in
As the user continues to push the syringe 32 into the sealing device 10, the adapter 34 continues to push into the plug 72 and move it downward towards the base 68, thereby causing the spring 64 is compress from an expanded configuration seen in
After the distal locking portion 36 of the syringe 32 has been fully inserted into the coupling portion 16 and secured as discussed above, the movement of the plug 72 ceases its movement and the spring 64 remains in a compressed configuration as seen in
Having removed from the syringe 32 filled the medication fluid from the sealing device 60, the user may apply a needle to the syringe 32, apply the syringe 32 to an intravenous tube or bag, or perform any other procedure requiring a syringe as is known in the art or later devised. Alternatively, the user may reinsert the syringe 32 into the sealing device 60 and reopen the apertures 84 as disclosed above and either draw more medication fluid, or reinject the medication fluid contained within the syringe 32 back into the medication vial 1. Because of the close seated or tight connection which is formed between the syringe 32 and the medication vial 1 via the sealing device 60, anytime medication fluid is taken from or injected into the medication vial 1 air is prevented from being withdrawn by the syringe 32 upon its actuation, thereby allowing the user to immediately withdraw medication fluid without having to adjust for any air which may have been inadvertently permitted to enter the syringe 32. In emergency conditions, this further allows the user to inject or apply the medication fluid or drug more quickly to the patient which in turn could improve their medical treatment or even potentially be lifesaving.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.
Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.
The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.
The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/926,242 filed on Oct. 25, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 120.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210121362 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62926242 | Oct 2019 | US |
