Fluid transfer device and system

Abstract

A transfer device includes a base having a support surface configured to receive an on-body injection device. A fill tube extends upwardly from the support surface and transfers liquid into an injection device when the injection device is received on the support surface. A syringe pocket is connected to the base. A syringe port is positioned within the syringe pocket and attaches to a syringe. A fluid transfer line communicates with the fill tube and the syringe port.

Description

 FLUID TRANSFER DEVICE AND SYSTEMCLAIM OF PRIORITY[1] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 554,607, filed February 16, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[2] The present subject matter relates generally to a device and system for transferring liquid medication from a syringe or other container into an injection device.BACKGROUND[3] Injection devices that are worn by a patient, such as on-body injection devices, temporarily or for an extended period are well known in the medical field. The subject matter of this application relates to a transfer device for use particularly, but not exclusively, with the injection device described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,925,333 to Hooven et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. That injection device includes an internal resilient bladder that may be filled with any suitable injectable medicament, whether drug, antibiotic, biologic or other injectable, for subcutaneous injection, typically a bolus injection, into a patient while the device is being worn by the patient. This injection device must be filled (wholly or partially) with the desired injectable before injection into the patient. [4] The above U.S. Patent No. 9,925,333 also discloses a variety of devices and systems for transferring an injectable into the injection device from a source such as a vial or vials. The present application discloses additional novel designs and improvements, allowing lower cost of manufacture and less waste to dispose, for such transfer devices. The transfer devices and systems described herein may be variously referred to as transfer modules, accessories, add-ons or by other suitable terminology, without intending any limitation on the structure or function of the devices and systems not set forth herein.SUMMARY[5] There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.[6] In one aspect, a transfer device includes a base having a support surface configured to receive an on-body injection device. A fill tube extends upwardly from the support surface and is configured to transfer liquid into the injection device when the injection device is received on the support surface. A syringe pocket is connected to the base. A syringe port is positioned within the syringe pocket and configured for attachment to a syringe. A fluid transfer line is in fluid communication with the fill tube and the syringe port.[7] In another aspect, a transfer system features a transfer device including a base having a support surface with a fill tube extending upwardly from the support surface. A syringe pocket is connected to the base. A syringe port is positioned within the syringe pocket and configured for attachment to a syringe. A fluid transfer line is in fluid communication with the fill tube and the syringe port. An on-body injection device is positioned on the support surface of the base and the fill tube is configured to transfer liquid into the on-body injection device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS[8] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the transfer device of the disclosure.[9] Figure 1B is a bottom perspective view of the transfer device of Figure 1A.

[10] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the platform of the transfer device of Figures 1A and 1B.

[11] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the base and holder of the transfer device of Figures 1A and 1B.

[12] Figure 4A is a top perspective of an injection device suitable for use with the transfer device of Figures 1A and 1B.

[13] Figure 4B is a bottom perspective view of the injection device of Figure 4A.

[14] Figure 5A is a top perspective view of a transfer device of Figures 1A and 1B with the injection device of Figures 4A and 4B mounted thereon.

[15] Figure 5B is a bottom perspective view of the transfer and injection devices of Figure 5A.

[16] Figure 6 is a plan view of the outer strap of the transfer device of Figures 5A and 5B.

[17] Figure 7 is a plan view of the inner strap of the transfer device of Figures 5A and 5B.  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[18] An embodiment of the transfer device of the disclosure is indicated in general at 20 in Figs. 1A and 1B. The main components of the device include a generally circular base, indicated in general at 22, a holder, including opposing holder portions indicated in general at 24a and 24b, and a platform, indicated in general at 26. As explained in greater detail below, the base and holder cooperate to receive and secure an injection device to the transfer device 20, and the platform 26 includes a syringe pocket, indicated in general at 28, that receives a syringe to provide injectable to the injection device.

[19] It should be noted that “injectable fluid,” “injectable,” “drug,” “medicament” and like terms are used interchangeably herein.

[20] While the base 22 is shown as being generally circular, the base may feature an alternative shape and configuration.

[21] The transfer device is preferably constructed of a plastic material and is preferably disposable.

[22] Turning to Figs. 2 and 3, during manufacture of the transfer device, the platform 26 may be formed as a first single piece, while the base 22 and holder 24a and 24b may be formed as a second single piece. As examples only, the first and second pieces may be molded of plastic material.

[23] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the platform 26 includes a gate, indicated in general at 32, that is separated from but joined to the syringe pocket 28 by bridge 34. The gate includes gate tabs 35a, 35b and 35c having base snap holes 36a, 36b and 36c. The syringe pocket 28, gate 32 and bridge 34 are provided with a downwardly extending skirt 38 to support the transfer device on a surface, such as a tabletop.

[24] The profiles of the syringe pocket, gate and bridge provide efficient use of material which is beneficial in terms of production cost and reduced waste given the disposable nature of the illustrated embodiment of the device.

[25] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the bottom of the base 22 is provided with snap lock fasteners 42a, 42b and 42c that are received within the base snap holes 36a, 36b and 36c of the gate 32 of Fig. 2, respectively. Each of the snap lock fasteners includes an opposing pair of cantilever members having enlarged head portions. The cantilever members temporarily deflect towards one another as the enlarged head portions move through the corresponding base snap holes and then move apart so that the enlarged head portions prevent removal of the snap lock fasteners from the corresponding base snap holes. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 1B, the gate 32 is secured to the base 22 by the snap lock fasteners 42a, 42b and 42c. While three snap lock fasteners and corresponding base snap holes are illustrated, an alternative number of each may be used.

[26] Alternative fastening arrangements known in the art may be used to secure the base to the gate of the platform. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the platform, base and holder may be formed as a single piece.

[27] As illustrated in Figs. 1A, 1B and 2, the syringe pocket 28 includes a generally cylindrical wall 44 and shoulder tabs 46a-46f that extend radially inward from the cylindrical wall. As illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, a syringe port 52 is received within a central opening of the syringe pocket. As illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, the syringe port 52 features external threads that are received by the internally threaded outlet of a syringe whereby the syringe is connected to the syringe port.

[28] In an alternative embodiment, the syringe port may be integrally molded or otherwise formed with the syringe pocket.

[29] As further illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, the base 22 is provided with a transfer port that includes a mounting plate 54 (Fig. 1B) with a rigid (or at least semi-rigid) fill tube 56 (Fig. 1A) mounted thereon. As shown in Fig. 1B, the mounting plate includes a socket 58 having an internal passage that is in fluid communication with the bore of fill tube 56. A fluid transfer line, illustrated as tubing at 62 in Fig. 1B, extends between, and is in fluid communication with, the syringe port 52 and the socket 58 of mounting plate 54. In an alternative embodiment, instead of tubing, the fluid transfer line could be integrally molded into the platform and / or base.

[30] An example of an on-body injection device suitable for use with the transfer device and system of the disclosure is described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,925,333 to Hooven et al. which, as noted previously, is incorporated herein by reference. An embodiment of such an on-body injection device is indicated in general at 70 in Figs. 4A and 4B. The injection device may have a liquid reservoir, such as an expandable reservoir for receiving the medicament, for example a reservoir that expands under pressure from the medicament. The reservoir may be biased to expel the medicament upon user actuation of the injection device by pressing button 72 (Fig. 4A) once removed from the transfer device. As an example only, the injector capacity can be 1-50mL.

[31] The undersurface of the injection device 70, as shown in Figs. 4B, includes a filling port 74 and a dispense port 76. The filling port 74 is the interface that allows the transfer device (20 of Figs. 1A and 1B) to transfer liquid to the injection device (70 of Figs. 4A and 4B) from a syringe. The filling port 74 receives the upper portion of fill tube 56 (Fig. 1A) of the transfer port of the transfer device and preferably includes a check valve to prevent pressurized injectable from leaking out of the injection device when the injection device is removed from the transfer device whereby the fill tube 56 (Fig. 1A) is removed from the filling port 74 (Fig. 4B).

[32] With continued reference to Figs. 4A and 4B, the medicament is expelled from the injection device 70 via an injection cannula that passes through the dispense port 76 when button 72 is pressed.

[33] With reference to Fig. 1A, the top side of the base 22 of the transfer device provides an injection device support surface 82. A pair of location pins 84a and 84b are formed on the support surface 82 and an annular drip well 86 surrounds the fill tube boss 88. The annular drip well receives any injectable that leaks out of the injection device upon removal from the transfer device.

[34] The bottom of the injection device, with reference to Fig. 4B, includes a pair of location recesses 92a and 92b.

[35] When the injection device 70 is positioned on the support surface 82 of the base, as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, the transfer device fill tube 56 (Fig. 1A) is received within the injection device filling port 74 (Fig. 4B). In addition, the transfer device location pins 84a and 84b of Fig. 1A are received within the location recesses 92a and 92b of Fig. 4B formed in the bottom of the injection device 70. As a result, turning or other movement of the injection device 70 with respect to the support surface 82 of the transfer device is resisted. In an alternative embodiment, the location recesses may instead be formed within the injection device support surface 82 with the corresponding location pins positioned on the bottom of the injection device.

[36] As described previously with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B, a pair of holding portions 24a and 24b are positioned on base 22. The holding portions 24a and 24b are provided with holder openings 94a, 96a and 94b, 96b as illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B. As illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, the holder openings of the holder portions 24a and 24b are sized and positioned so that the holder portions slightly flex radially outwards whereby the circular housing of the injection device 70 is lightly gripped on opposite sides by the holder portions.

[37] As further illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, injection device 70 is further secured to the support surface 82 of the transfer device by outer and inner straps, indicated in general at 102 and 104, respectively, in Figs. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7. The straps are constructed from a flexible material, such as thin plastic or any other flexible material known in the art.

[38] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the outer strap 102 features a proximal end, indicated in general at 106, and a distal end, indicated in general at 108. The proximal end of the strap features circular opening 112 and Y-shaped opening 114. The distal end 108 of the outer strap 102 features opposing latching tabs 116 and 118 and a pull tab or ring 122. The inner strap 104 also features a proximal end, indicated in general at 124, and a distal end, indicated in general at 126. The proximal end of the strap features circular opening 132 and Y-shaped opening 134. The distal end 126 of the inner strap 104 features centering tabs 136 and 138 and insert portion 142.

[39] As illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, holder portion 24a includes a strap knob 144a and holder portion 24b includes a strap knob 144b. Opening 114 (or optionally opening 112) of the proximal end of outer strap 102 receives strap knob 144b while opening 134 (or optionally opening 132) of the proximal end of inner strap 104 receives strap knob 144a. After the injection device 70 is positioned on the support surface 82 of the transfer device, as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, the insert portion 142 on the distal end of the inner strap 104 is positioned over the button 72 of the injection device. The distal end 108 of the outer strap 102 is then placed on top of the distal end 126 of the inner strap 104 with the latching tabs 116 and 118 (Fig. 6) engaging the insert portion 142 so that the distal ends of the inner and outer straps are latched or secured together. As a result, the injection device 70 is secured to the support surface 82 of the transfer device. The centering tabs 136 and 138 of Fig. 7 are folded down, as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B so that the straps stay roughly centered on the injection device push button 72.

[40] The distal ends of the inner and outer straps 102 and 104 may be unlatched by pulling on the pull tab or ring 122 after the injection device has been filled with injectable and use of the injection device is desired. The injection device may be provided with an adhesive backing with removable cover sheet 123 (Fig. 5A) of the type disclosed in commonly assigned PCT Published Application No. WO 2019 / 075337, published on April 18, 2019, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[41] The geometries of openings 112 and 114 on the proximal end of strap 102 and openings 132 and 134 on the proximal end of strap 104 manage compliance and variation in injection device height and allow for the inner and outer straps to rotate on the transfer device while remaining attached to transfer device base.

[42] After the injection device 70 has been attached to the transfer device 20, as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, transfer of injectable into the injection device 70 may be accomplished by attaching a syringe (indicated in phantom at 152 in Fig. 5A) to the syringe port 52 of the transfer device. The user then presses the plunger of the syringe downward or inwards so that the injectable flows through the syringe port 52, the fluid transfer line 62 (Fig. 1B) and into the injection device via the fill tube 56 (Fig. 1A) of the transfer port.

[43] The dimensions of the cylindrical wall 44 and / or shoulder tabs 46a-46f (Figs. 1A, 2 and 5A) of the syringe pocket 28 of the transfer device are selected to only accommodate syringes up to an allowable design limit. Syringes larger than the allowable design limit are restricted from being received within the syringe pocket and thus prevented from connecting to the syringe port 52 due to interference by the cylindrical wall and / or shoulder tabs. As an example only, the dimensions of the cylindrical wall and shoulder tabs may be selected to exclude syringes larger than 10mL or 20 mL.

[44] Embodiments of the transfer device and system described above provide a compact and efficient way to move a drug from a syringe into an injection device.

[45] Although the present subject matter is described herein with reference to specific structures, methods and examples, this is for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that the present subject matter is applicable to a large range of devices and systems that may differ in particular configuration and appearance while still employing this subject matter

Claims

1. A transfer device comprising: a. a base having a support surface configured to receive an on-body injection device; b. a fill tube extending upwardly from the support surface and configured to transfer liquid into an injection device when the injection device is received on the support surface; c. a syringe pocket connected to the base;d. a syringe port positioned within the syringe pocket and configured for attachment to a syringe; and e. a fluid transfer line in fluid communication with the fill tube and the syringe port.

2. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein the syringe pocket includes acylindrical wall dimensioned to prevent syringes having sizes above a predetermined design limit from connecting to the syringe port.

3. The transfer device of claim 2 wherein the syringe pocket includes a plurality of shoulder tabs extending radially inward from the cylindrical wall and dimensioned to prevent syringes having sizes above a predetermined design limit from connecting to the syringe port.   4. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of location pins positioned on the support surface, said plurality of location pins configured to engage corresponding location recesses positioned within a bottom surface of an on-body injection device.

5. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a holder attached to the base, said holder configured to engage an on-body injection device positioned on the support surface.

6. The transfer device of claim 5 wherein the holder includes first and second holder portions positioned on edges of the base so that the first holder portion opposes the second holder portion whereby an on-body injection device positioned on the support surface is positioned between and engaged by the first and second holder portions.

7. The transfer device of claim 6 wherein the first and second holder portions each include holder openings.

8. The transfer device of any one of claims 1 through 7 further comprising an inner strap having an inner strap proximal end and an inner strap distal end, an outer strap having an outer strap proximal end and an outer strap distal end, where the inner and outer strap proximal ends are attached to the base and the inner and outer strap distal ends are configured to releasably latch so that an on-body injection device is secured by the inner and outer straps to the support surface of the base.

9. The transfer device of claim 8 wherein the outer strap distal end includes a latching tab and a pull ring and the inner strap distal end includes an insert portion, where the distal end of the outer strap is configured to overlay the distal end of the inner strap with the latching tab engaging the insert portion whereby the distal ends of the inner and outer straps a releasably latched.

10. The transfer device of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the inner strap includes a pair of centering tabs configured to engage a button of an on-body injection device positioned on the support surface of the base.

11. The transfer device of claim 9 wherein the latching tab is a first latching tab and further comprising a second latching tab positioned on the distal end of outer strap where the first and second latching tabs are configured to receive the insert portion therebetween when the distal ends of the inner and outer straps are latched.

12. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a platform including the syringe pocket, a gate and a bridge connecting the syringe pocket and the gate wherein the base is connected to the gate by fasteners.

13. The transfer device of claim 12 wherein the fasteners are snap lock fasteners extending from the bottom of the base that are received within snap holes formed in the gate or snap lock fasteners extending from the gate that are received within snap holes formed in the base.

14. The transfer device of claim 12 wherein the platform and base are constructed from plastic.

15. The transfer device of any one of claims 1 through 14 wherein the syringe port includes external threads.

16. A transfer system comprising:a. a transfer device including: i) a base having a support surface; ii) a fill tube extending upwardly from the support surface; iii) a syringe pocket connected to the base;iv) a syringe port positioned within the syringe pocket and configured for attachment to a syringe;v) a fluid transfer line in fluid communication with the fill tube and the syringe port;b. an on-body injection device positioned on the support surface of the base;c. said fill tube configured to transfer liquid into the on-body injection device.

17. The transfer system of claim 16 wherein the syringe pocket includes acylindrical wall dimensioned to prevent syringes having sizes above a predetermined design limit from connecting to the syringe port.

18. The transfer system of claim 17 wherein the syringe pocket includes a plurality of shoulder tabs extending radially inward from the cylindrical wall and dimensioned to prevent syringes having sizes above a predetermined design limit from connecting to the syringe port.

19. The transfer system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of location pins positioned on the support surface and a plurality of location recesses positioned within a bottom surface of the on-body injection device, said plurality of location pins engaging the plurality of location recesses.

20. The transfer system of claim 16 further comprising a holder attached to the base, said holder engaging the on-body injection device.

21. The transfer system of claim 20 wherein the holder includes first and second holder portions positioned on edges of the base so that the first holder portion opposes the second holder portion whereby the on-body injection device positioned on the support surface is positioned between and engaged by the first and second holder portions.

22. The transfer system of claim 21 wherein the first and second holder portions each include holder openings.

23. The transfer system of any one of claims 16 through 22 further comprising an inner strap having an inner strap proximal end and an inner strap distal end, an outer strap having an outer strap proximal end and an outer strap distal end, where the inner and outer strap proximal ends are attached to the base and the inner and outer strap distal ends are configured to releasably latch so that the on-body injection device is secured by the inner and outer straps to the support surface of the base.

24. The transfer system of claim 23 wherein the outer strap distal end includes a latching tab and a pull ring and the inner strap distal end includes an insert portion, where the distal end of the outer strap is configured to overlay the distal end of the inner strap with the latching tab engaging the insert portion whereby the distal ends of the inner and outer straps a releasably latched.

25. The transfer system of claim 24 wherein the distal end of the inner strap includes a pair of centering tabs configured to engage a button of an on-body injection device positioned on the support surface of the base.

26. The transfer system of claim 25 wherein the latching tab is a first latching tab and further comprising a second latching tab positioned on the distal end of outer strap where the first and second latching tabs are configured to receive the insert portion therebetween when the distal ends of the inner and outer straps are latched.

27. The transfer system of claim 16 further comprising a platform including the syringe pocket, a gate and a bridge connecting the syringe pocket and the gate wherein the base is connected to the gate by fasteners.

28. The transfer system of claim 27 wherein the fasteners are snap lock fasteners extending from the bottom of the base that are received within snap holes formed in the gate or snap lock fasteners extending from the gate that are received within snap holes formed in the base.

29. The transfer system of claim 27 wherein the platform and base are constructed from plastic.

30. The transfer system of any one of claims 16 through 29 wherein the syringe port includes external threads. 

Images