Vial adapter device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vial adapter configured to allow fluid to be directly withdrawn from a fluid container having a self-healing sealing member using a syringe. The syringe is connected to the vial adapter via a vial adapter connecting member and a corresponding syringe connecting member. During use, the fluid container is pressed against the vial adapter, and the vial adapter removably locks the fluid container to the vial adapter. When removably locked, the post of the vial adapter pierces the sealing member. The present invention also discloses a fluid extraction kit, which includes a vial adapter, a fluid container and a syringe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a vial adapter device for delivering fluid to and / or from a fluid container having a sealing member, and more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a vial adapter for directly withdrawing fluid from a fluid container using a syringe while minimizing needle tip damage and buckling. Background Art

[0002] Medical drugs and solvents are usually provided in the form of glass or plastic containers (e.g., vials, bottles, or bags) and sealed with rubber, plastic, or elastomeric stoppers, stoppers, diaphragms, or pierceable caps. Such sealing members prevent the drug from deteriorating or becoming contaminated, allow the contents of the container to be mixed by shaking, and prevent the contents of the container from leaking out and contaminating the surrounding environment. A conventional hollow needle including a flow channel and an opening communicating with the flow channel is usually inserted through such a sealing member to supply fluid to the container and to withdraw fluid from the container.

[0003] To avoid needle tip damage and buckling, large gauge needles are often used to pierce the sealing member because they have greater structural strength than smaller gauge needles. However, large gauge needles create larger puncture holes in the patient's epidermis, so physicians balance the risk of needle structural deformation with invasiveness to the patient when selecting needle gauge for a given medical application. While separate multiple needles can be used, this can effectively double the biological waste for a given application and increase the risk of infection by exposing the needle of a medical syringe to unfiltered air. Unfiltered air may contain undesirable particles such as dust, pollen, or airborne bacteria and microorganisms.

[0004] Furthermore, when the container is running low on medical fluid, the needle may not be able to fully capture and extract the last few drops of medical fluid (which may be very expensive and / or toxic) from the container. In order to capture the remaining medical fluid, the cannula is slowly and carefully retracted through the sealing member while the medical fluid remaining in the container is extracted. However, during this process, the potentially toxic drug may leak out and contaminate the surrounding environment, and unfiltered air may be drawn into the cannula, thereby contaminating the medical fluid therein.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to reduce the potential for structural damage to the needle while limiting exposure to non-sterile environments and unfiltered air. Summary of the invention

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vial adapter configured to extract fluid from a fluid container using a syringe. The vial adapter includes a wall having a plurality of prongs extending distally from the wall; a post protruding distally from the wall; a lumen extending through the wall from at least one inlet extending at least partially along the length of the post; and an elongated body extending proximally from the wall, the body defining a longitudinal cavity.

[0007] At least one of the plurality of prongs has a protruding inner flange configured to lock to a neck of a fluid container. A lumen defines an opening in the wall, the lumen being in fluid communication with at least one inlet in the opening, the lumen accommodating a needle cannula of a syringe, the needle cannula also being in fluid communication with at least one inlet. The cavity of the elongated body is defined by the inner wall and the proximal opening, and the elongated body includes a connecting member configured to connect to a syringe connecting member.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the longitudinal cavity of the elongated body further defines an inner tapered surface, and the inner tapered surface forms an interference fit with the needle hub on the syringe.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the lumen and the longitudinal cavity define an internal passage through which a cannula of a syringe passes, the cannula being non-removably press-fit into a needle hub of the syringe. In one or more embodiments, the cannula does not extend beyond the at least one inlet of the post.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post does not extend beyond the sealing member of the fluid container, and when the sealing member is fully pressed against the wall, the post pierces the sealing member, thereby causing fluid communication from the fluid container through the at least one inlet and the tube cavity.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post extends beyond the sealing member of the container.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the inlet exposes an air ventilation channel for normalizing the internal pressure of the vial.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the prongs are elastically deformed when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the post, and the prongs removably lock the fluid container when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the post, the prongs are elastically deformed and when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the prongs permanently lock the fluid container.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the vial adapter further comprises a removable seal disposed on the prong.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the elongated body connection member comprises external threads and the syringe connection member comprises internal threads. In one or more embodiments, the elongated body connection member and the syringe connection member comprise Luer connectors. In one or more embodiments, the elongated body connection member comprises a flange and the syringe connection member comprises a twist lock socket.

[0017] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fluid extraction kit, which includes a vial adapter, a fluid container and a syringe, and the fluid extraction kit is configured to extract fluid from the fluid container using a syringe. The fluid container has a neck and a sealing member abutting the neck. The syringe includes a plunger rod and a syringe, which defines: an open proximal end, through which the plunger rod is arranged; a distal end, which defines a distal wall, which has a collar portion and an integrally formed needle seat, and a needle cannula passes through the needle seat and is arranged in a lumen of the needle seat, and both the needle cannula and the needle seat are in fluid communication with the syringe, and the collar portion has a corresponding connecting member.

[0018] The vial adapter includes a wall having a plurality of prongs extending distally therefrom, at least one of the plurality of prongs having a protruding inner flange configured to lock to a neck of a fluid container. The vial adapter also includes a post having an end protruding distally from the wall and defining a length, the post having at least one inlet extending at least partially along the length of the post. The vial adapter also includes: a lumen extending through the wall from the at least one inlet, the lumen defining an opening in the wall, the lumen being in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and an elongated body extending proximally from the wall, the elongated body defining a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity defining an inner wall and a proximal opening, the elongated body having a connecting member disposed longitudinally along an outer wall of the elongated body, the connecting member being configured to removably secure the vial adapter to a syringe connecting member.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the longitudinal cavity further defines an inner tapered surface that forms an interference fit with a needle hub on a syringe.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the lumen and the longitudinal cavity define an internal passage through which a needle cannula of a syringe passes, the needle cannula being non-removably press-fit into the needle hub of the syringe, the cannula not extending beyond the at least one inlet of the post.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post does not extend beyond the sealing member, and wherein when the sealing member is fully pressed against the wall, the post pierces the sealing member to provide fluid communication from the fluid container through the at least one inlet and the tube cavity.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the prongs are elastically deformed when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the post and removably lock the fluid container when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the post, the prongs are elastically deformed and when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the prongs permanently lock the fluid container.

[0024] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned through the practice of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained through the instruments and combinations specifically pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and the appended claims or may be learned through the practice of the present disclosure as described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a vial adapter attached to a syringe and a vial according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 1B An exploded view of a vial adapter, a syringe, and a vial according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a vial adapter device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a vial adapter device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a syringe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4shows a cross-sectional view of a vial adapter attached to a syringe according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 shows an exploded side view of a medicine bottle as part of a medicine bottle adapter kit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a medicine vial adapter device attached to a medicine vial according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the vial adapter device taken along line 7-7; and

[0035] Figure 8 A side perspective view of a vial adapter device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of construction or processing steps set forth in the following description. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0037] For the purposes of the description below, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and their derivatives shall relate to the orientation of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure may take alternative variations and step sequences unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0038] References to a "needle" include needles configured to fill and / or inject / withdraw liquids into / from a syringe. In this disclosure, the convention is followed where the portion of the needle closest to the physician manipulating the needle is referred to as the "proximal side," while the portion of the needle that faces the patient (for injection) or a vial containing liquid (for filling) and is farthest from the physician is referred to as the "distal side."

[0039] As used herein, a "filling needle" refers to a needle that is configured to fill a syringe, but in some embodiments, is not configured to administer an injection to a patient. For example, in some embodiments, the filling needle is a blunt needle that is not configured or adapted to penetrate the patient's skin, but is configured or adapted to penetrate a rubber stopper of a fluid container.

[0040] As used herein, the term "syringe" refers to a simple pump-like device comprising a plunger rod that fits tightly into a barrel or tube. Pulling or pushing the plunger rod along the inside of the barrel enables the syringe to draw in and expel liquids or gases through an opening at the open end of the barrel.

[0041] As used herein, "fluid container" refers to a medicine bottle with a sealing member, which is configured to hermetically seal the contents (preferably liquid) of the fluid container. In some embodiments, the fluid container includes a substantially cylindrical container body having a neck disposed opposite to the closed end. The neck defines an opening, which is covered by a hermetically sealed sealing member commonly referred to as an elastomer or rubber "blocker" or "diaphragm". In one or more embodiments, the sealing member is directly hot-melted or cold-melted to the neck. In other embodiments, the end cap compresses the sealing member to the neck, and the end cap is hermetically fixed to the neck. The end caps of some embodiments are fixed to the neck using an adhesive, a threaded connection, or a locking connection. According to one or more embodiments of the fluid container, the fluid container includes glass, ceramics, metals, polymers, or plastics. In the case of using a wall material that is not easy to collapse (e.g., glass, ceramics, metals, and hard plastics), the venting feature is generally integral with the fluid container, integral with the sealing member, or a feature of the filling needle. In the case of collapsible wall materials (e.g., soft polymers), extraction can be performed without the use of venting features because, when the contents are extracted, the walls collapse due to the pressure differential between the interior of the container and the outside atmosphere, thereby creating a vacuum in the container. Alternatively, the physician can first prime the container by injecting gas into the container with a filling needle, and then draw the contents of the fluid container to stabilize the pressure. In some embodiments where priming is required, the syringe is commercially provided with pre-filled sterile gas, which is transferred to the fluid container before the fluid is extracted. When the contents are substantially extracted and the filling needle cannot further capture the remainder, the fluid container is inverted or placed in an upward position, and the filling needle is slightly withdrawn to capture the remainder accumulated in the neck.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments for couplers, fittings, ports, and adapters include commercially available luer locks, luer slip ports, locking ports, threaded connections, interlocking connections, or generally other common medical device fittings known in the art.

[0043] The present disclosure relates to a vial adapter configured to withdraw a medical fluid from a fluid container having a septum without replacing the needle with a dosing needle configured to administer an injection to a patient after the vial is filled. The vial adapter of one or more embodiments enables a physician to use a small gauge needle to withdraw a medical fluid from a fluid container while minimizing needle tip damage and buckling of the small gauge needle. By way of example and not limitation, the vial adapter allows the use of a single hypodermic needle as small as a 27 gauge to withdraw and administer or inject a medical fluid without damaging the needle and without requiring the use of a second needle, such as a filling needle.

[0044] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the present disclosure relates to a vial adapter 110 and an exemplary fluid extraction kit 102, which is configured to directly extract fluid 104 from a fluid container 10 having a self-healing sealing member 12 using a syringe 30. In one or more embodiments, the syringe 30 is first connected to the vial adapter 110. The fluid container 10 is then pressed against the vial adapter 110, and the vial adapter 110 removably locks the fluid container 10 to the vial adapter. While removably locked, the physician can extract the fluid 104 by moving the plunger rod 32 in the proximal direction.

[0045] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the vial adapter 110 includes a generally elongated body 150 having a distal wall 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal wall 112 has a generally circular profile. A post 130 protrudes in a distal direction from the distal wall 112 of the vial adapter 110. The post 130 is disposed in the center of the distal wall 112 to allow for direct piercing of the sealing member 12 (not shown). To aid in piercing the sealing member 12, the post 130 has a sharp tip, which is shown as a beveled tip 132. The post 130 also includes at least one elongated inlet 134 extending from the beveled tip 132 at least partially along the length of the post 132. The at least one elongated inlet 134 is in fluid communication with a lumen 136 of the vial adapter 110. The lumen 136 extends from the at least one inlet 134 through the distal wall 112. The elongated inlet 134 can be any shape that is in communication with the lumen 136, such as a rectangular, square, circular or oval shape. The at least one elongated inlet 134 extends longitudinally from the beveled end 132 or from a few millimeters away from the beveled end 132 along about 50% of the length of the post 130 to ensure that when the liquid container 10 is pressed against the vial adapter 110, at least a portion of the opening of the at least one elongated inlet 134 is in fluid communication with the fluid 104 of the liquid container 10.

[0046] The vial adapter 110 also includes a plurality of prongs 114 disposed around the periphery of the distal wall 112. The plurality of prongs 114 extend in a distal direction from the distal wall 112, and at least one of the plurality of prongs has a protruding inner flange 116. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of prongs has a protruding inner flange 116, which defines a plurality of inner flanges 116 for removably securing the fluid container 10 to the vial adapter 110.

[0047] In some embodiments, the distal wall 112 further includes a distally facing circular protrusion 118 and a circular groove 120, which is disposed within the circular protrusion 118. The circular protrusion 118 and the circular groove 120 are disposed concentrically relative to the distal wall 112. In one or more embodiments, when the fluid container 10 is fully pressed against the distal wall 112, the fluid container 10 abuts the circular protrusion 118. When the fluid 104 is drawn out, leakage may accumulate in the circular groove 120, thereby preventing further overflow to the outside of the vial adapter 110. In one or more embodiments, the at least one elongated inlet 134 does not extend to the height of the circular protrusion 118, thereby preventing the at least one elongated inlet 134 from being exposed to the external environment when the sealing member 12 is fully pressed against the distal wall 112.

[0048] The elongated body 150 also defines a longitudinal cavity 152 in fluid communication with the lumen 136. The longitudinal cavity 152 is further defined by an inner wall 154, an outer wall 156, and a proximal opening 159. The inner wall 154 also includes a proximal portion and a distal inner bevel 164. The connecting element 162 is longitudinally arranged along the proximal portion of the outer wall 156. In a specific embodiment, the connecting element 162 includes a plurality of external threads 163 having a spiral shape. The connecting element 162 removably fixes the vial adapter 110 to the corresponding connecting element 52 of the syringe 30. In some embodiments, the device includes at least one external thread having a spiral shape. In other embodiments, the connecting element 162 includes a flange for twisting and locking into a corresponding socket.

[0049] like Figure 3As shown, the syringe 30 includes a syringe barrel 34 and a plunger rod 32. The syringe barrel 34 defines an open proximal end 36, a distal end 38, and a distal wall 40. The side wall 42 extends from the distal end 38 to the open proximal end 36 and includes an inner surface that defines a chamber 46 for holding or retaining a fluid, which in some embodiments includes a liquid drug and / or other liquid. The collar portion 54 of the syringe 30 is disposed on the distal end 38 of the syringe barrel 34 and extends from the distal wall 40 of the syringe barrel 34 to form a compartment 62 around a conical needle seat 64, which is formed integrally with the distal wall 40. In one or more embodiments, the needle cannula 72 is non-removably press-fitted into the needle seat of the syringe. The collar portion 54 includes an inner surface defining the compartment 62 and an open distal end. The inner wall of the collar portion 54 has a corresponding connecting element 52. The collar portion 54 surrounds the needle seat 64, and the needle seat 64 protrudes beyond the collar portion 54. The inner surface of the syringe barrel 34 may have a smooth surface without any protrusions or depressions on the surface. In use, the plunger rod 32 is inserted into the proximal end 36 of the opening of the syringe barrel 34.

[0050] The lumen of the syringe 30 extending the length of the hollow needle cannula 72 defines an open channel through which the needle cannula 72 is in fluid communication with the chamber of the syringe barrel of the syringe 30. In one or more embodiments, the needle cannula 72 is frictionally engaged with the needle seat 64. The needle cannula 72 is disposed in the needle seat 64. In one or more embodiments, the needle cannula 72 has a beveled needle tip 74. The needle cannula 72 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is formed of conventional materials such as steel (i.e., stainless steel). Those skilled in the art will recognize that it can be replaced with medical grade plastics, composite materials, ceramics or similar materials.

[0051] Figure 4 The syringe 30 is shown threadedly engaged with the vial adapter 110. The connecting element 162 of the vial adapter 110 is threadedly connected to the corresponding connecting element 52 of the syringe 30. The proximal portion 157 of the inner side wall 154 of the elongated body 150 can be conical or tapered in shape to form an interference fit with the needle hub 64 of the syringe 30. In certain embodiments, the interference fit between the needle hub 64 and the proximal portion 157 of the inner side wall 154 forms a fluid-tight seal. In some embodiments, the interference fit can be sufficient to secure the vial adapter 110 to the syringe 30 without the use of the connecting elements 162, 52. In other embodiments, the connecting elements 162, 52 can be Luer slip connections.

[0052] In use, when the vial adapter 110 is screwed into the collar portion 54 of the syringe 30, the needle cannula 72 is inserted and received in the lumen 136 of the elongated body 150. The needle cannula 72 extends at least partially through the post 130. The inner bevel 164 assists in inserting the needle cannula 72. The lumen 136 and the longitudinal cavity 152 of the elongated body 150 define an internal passage or flow channel through which the contents (not shown) of the fluid container 10 flow into and / or out of the fluid container 10 and the at least one elongated inlet 134. The needle cannula 72 is in fluid communication with the lumen 136 of the elongated body 150. Therefore, when the post 130 pierces the sealing member 12 of the fluid container 10, the fluid 104 from the fluid container 10 can flow from the at least one elongated inlet 134 to the lumen 136 of the elongated body 150 to the needle cannula 72 and fill the chamber 46 of the syringe 30. With the vial adapter 110 screwed into the collar portion 54 of the syringe 30, the post 130 protects the needle cannula 72 and serves as a filling needle, and the needle cannula 72 serves as a dosing needle to deliver the medical fluid to the patient.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, the fluid container 10 of a particular embodiment includes an end cap 18 that encloses and compresses the sealing member 12 on the mouth 15. The mouth 15 is disposed on the neck 14 of the fluid container 10. The end cap 18 includes a generally cylindrical end cap body having an inner side wall, an outer cap side wall 22, a proximal cap end 24, and a substantially open distal cap end 26. The open distal cap end 26 defines an internal cavity extending to a bottom wall (not shown) disposed on the proximal cap end 24. The bottom wall of the end cap 18 has a concentric hole (not shown) extending therethrough. The sealing member in the illustrated embodiment includes a generally cylindrical distal portion 28 and a generally cylindrical proximal portion 29. The diameter of the distal portion 28 is smaller than the diameter of the proximal portion 29. The transition from the distal portion 28 to the proximal portion 29 defines a ridge 27. Other embodiments of the sealing member include a generally cylindrical body with a substantially trapezoidal, triangular or tapered cross section. In some embodiments, the material of the sealing member 12 is typically an elastic polymer or rubber, thereby forming a barrier layer that allows repeated penetration of a conventional needle and transmission of fluid through the barrier layer without leakage. In one or more embodiments, the sealing member 12 is in the form of a diaphragm.

[0054] Reference Figure 6In use, the fluid container 10 is pressed against the vial adapter 110, and the vial adapter 110 removably secures the fluid container 10 to the vial adapter 110 by means of the plurality of prongs 114 of the vial adapter 110. When the fluid container 10 is pushed against the distal wall 112, the protruding inner flanges 116 of the plurality of prongs 114 interfere with the end cap 18 of the fluid container 10. The interference between the protruding inner flanges 116 and the end cap 18 causes the plurality of prongs 114 to elastically deform, thereby allowing the fluid container 10 to be fully pressed down against the distal wall 112. In the fully pressed down position, the prongs 114 completely enclose the end cap 18 and at least partially enclose the neck 14 of the fluid container 10. The ridge 27 abuts the mouth 15 of the fluid container 10. The mouth 15 engages with the end cap 18 by an interference fit. In one or more embodiments, a threaded connection, a locking mechanism, or a medical grade adhesive, or a combination thereof, is used to combine the mouth 15 with the end cap 18. When fully assembled, the hole of the end cap 18 is large enough to allow a conventional needle, a filling needle, or in this embodiment, a post 130 to pierce the sealing member 12. In some embodiments, the fluid container 10 has an airtight seal attached directly to the mouth 15 without an end cap.

[0055] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the cross-section of the plurality of protruding inner flanges 116 has a substantially diamond-shaped cross-section, and the inner flanges define a front surface 114a, a rear surface 114b, a proximal surface 114c, and a distal surface 114d. The distal surface 114d can be a concave or rounded surface, thereby allowing easy insertion of the end cap 18. The front surface 114a removably abuts the neck 14 of the fluid container 10, wherein the length of the front surface 114a is less than the length of the neck 14. The proximal surface 114c and the front surface 114a form a beak defined by the downward position of the surfaces 114a, 114c, which captures the end cap 18 (not shown). Finally, when the fluid container 10 is pushed against the vial adapter 110, the distal surface 114d is inclined to allow the sealing member 12 to be centered. In an alternative embodiment, in the case where the fluid container 10 has an airtight sealing member that can be directly attached to the mouth 15 without requiring an end cap, the hook can capture the mouth of the fluid container 10 (not shown).

[0056] Due to the wide variety of sizes of commercially available fluid containers, a variety of sizes of vial adapters with variable wall diameters or variable fork lengths can be provided. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the distal wall 112 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the end cap 18 to allow the plurality of forks 114 to return to their natural position after elastic deformation to allow the protruding inner flange 116 to nest into the recess formed by the neck 14. Similarly, in some embodiments, the height of the plurality of forks 114 is at least the height of the end cap 18, thereby allowing the protruding inner flange 116 to reliably slide into the recess formed by the neck 14.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, the removable seal 90 is disposed distally against a plurality of forks 114 of the vial adapter 110. The removable seal 90 defines a sealed area in which the post 130 is placed. According to one or more embodiments, the removable seal 90 includes a pull tab. The removable seal 90 reduces or prevents contamination of the post 130 during transportation and storage of the safety needle device. The removable seal 90 is usually kept in a closed position until just before the injection and / or aspiration process, when the removable seal 90 is removed from the housing. The removable seal minimizes the hazard of potential particle ingress and also provides a substantially impermeable shell for the post 130 before using the vial adapter 110. The removable seal provides sufficient sealing within a certain range of temperature, pressure and humidity levels. In a specific embodiment, the syringe 30 and the vial adapter 110 are pre-packaged together as a kit 102 in a sealed or sterilized package, such as a blister package.

[0058] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method in which a physician can use a vial adapter to withdraw the contents of a fluid container 10 and subsequently administer. The physician can remove the assembled kit 102 from a package such as a medical tray or a thermoformed package and then remove the removable seal 90. Thereafter, the physician can press the fluid container 10 into the vial adapter 110 by applying a longitudinal force to the vial adapter 110. The end cap 18 and the neck 14 of the fluid container 10 interfere with the plurality of prongs 114, causing the plurality of prongs 114 to elastically deform while the post 130 pierces the sealing member 12 and then penetrates the sealing member 12 as the longitudinal force is continuously applied to the vial adapter 110. Upon further depression of the vial adapter 110, the plurality of prongs 114 return to their normal position and the protruding inner flange 116 releasably locks the neck 14 of the sealing member. Furthermore, the sealing member 12 is completely in abutment against the circular protrusion 118 , and the post 130 has completely pierced the sealing member 12 , thereby allowing fluid communication between the fluid 104 in the fluid container 10 and the lumen 136 via the plurality of prongs 114 .

[0059] Alternatively, the vial adapter 110 may be packaged separately, and the physician may first secure the vial adapter 110 to the syringe 30 before withdrawing the fluid 104 from the fluid container 10. In this alternative method, the connecting element 162 of the vial adapter 110 is first removably secured to the corresponding connecting element 52 of the syringe 30. By engaging the two connecting elements 162, 52, the needle cannula 72 is self-centered within the lumen 136 of the vial adapter 110. Self-centering is further aided by the twisting motion that establishes the removable fixed connection and the internal bevel 164 within the longitudinal cavity 152 of the elongated body 150. When fully secured, the needle tip 74 does not extend beyond the at least one inlet 134 of the post 130. Movement of the plunger rod 32 in the proximal direction away from the barrel 34 generates a negative pressure within the barrel 34. The negative pressure causes the fluid 104 to flow through the at least one inlet 134 to the needle cannula 72 and then into the barrel 34, thereby allowing the fluid to be withdrawn when the negative pressure approaches zero.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, when the fluid container 10 is fully pressed against the distal wall 112, the at least one inlet 134 extends beyond the sealing member 12 of the fluid container 10, exposing an air ventilation channel (not shown) for normalizing the internal pressure of the vial, whereby air can flow into the fluid container 10, in which a negative pressure is generated by pulling the plunger rod 32 in a proximal direction away from the syringe 34.

[0061] After the desired amount of fluid 104 has been drawn into the syringe 34, the two connecting elements 162, 52 are disengaged by twisting the vial adapter 110 in opposite directions. The physician can release the vial adapter 110 by manipulating the fluid container 10, which is still secured to the vial adapter 110. By manipulating the fluid container 10, the risk of injury is reduced due to the increased length of the vial adapter 110, which brings the needle cannula 72 further away from the physician's hands. The needle cannula 72 can then be freely inserted into the patient's skin for administration of the drug. After administration of the drug, the vial adapter 110 can be re-secured to the used syringe 30 to dispose of the vial adapter 110, the syringe 30 and the fluid container 10 in accordance with recognized hazardous waste procedures.

[0062] like Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of gripping elements are longitudinally disposed along the distal portion of the outer side wall 156. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of gripping elements are longitudinally disposed ribs, which assist in removing the vial adapter 110 from the syringe 30 and provide structural support for the elongated body 150.

[0063] In yet another embodiment, the fluid container 10 is primed by first injecting gas into the fluid container 10, thereby generating a positive pressure within the fluid container 10, and then the fluid 104 is withdrawn by pulling the plunger rod 32 in a proximal direction away from the syringe 34, thereby stabilizing the pressure of the fluid container 10 to near zero.

[0064] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "various embodiments," "one or more embodiments," or "an embodiment" mean that the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, phrases such as "in one or more embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in various embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" that appear in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0065] Although the present disclosure provides a description with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are only illustrations of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A medicine bottle adapter, the medicine bottle adapter being configured to extract fluid from a fluid container using a syringe, the medicine bottle adapter comprising: a wall having a distally facing circular protrusion and a circular groove, a plurality of prongs extending distally from the wall, the circular groove being disposed within the circular protrusion, at least one of the plurality of prongs having a plurality of protruding inner flanges configured to lock to a neck of a fluid container; a post projecting distally from said wall and defining a length, said post having at least one entrance extending at least partially along said length of said post; a lumen extending from the at least one inlet through the wall, the lumen defining an opening in the wall; the lumen being in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, the lumen receiving a needle cannula of the syringe, the needle cannula being in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and An elongated body extends proximally from the wall, the elongated body defining a longitudinal lumen defining an inner wall and a proximal opening, the elongated body including a connecting member configured to be removably connected to a syringe connecting member.

2. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The longitudinal cavity also defines an inner tapered surface that forms an interference fit with a needle hub on the syringe.

3. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The lumen and the longitudinal cavity define an interior passage through which the needle cannula of the syringe passes, the needle cannula being non-removably press-fitted into the needle hub of the syringe.

4. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 3, wherein: The needle cannula does not extend beyond the at least one inlet of the post.

5. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: When the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post does not extend beyond the sealing member of the fluid container, and when the sealing member is fully pressed against the wall, the post pierces the sealing member, thereby causing fluid communication from the fluid container through the at least one inlet and the tube cavity.

6. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: When the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post extends beyond the sealing member of the fluid container.

7. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-section of the plurality of protruding inner flanges has a substantially diamond-shaped cross-section.

8. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The fork-shaped portion is elastically deformed when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the stud, and the fork-shaped portion removably locks the fluid container when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall.

9. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: When the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the stud, the fork deforms elastically and when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the fork locks the fluid container permanently.

10. The vial adapter of claim 1 further comprising a removable seal disposed over the prong.

11. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The connection member of the elongated body includes external threads and the syringe connection member includes internal threads.

12. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 11, wherein: The connecting member of the elongated body and the syringe connecting member include Luer connectors.

13. The medicine bottle adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The connection member of the elongated body includes a flange and the syringe connection member includes a twist-lock socket.

14. A fluid extraction kit comprising a vial adapter, a fluid container and a syringe, wherein the fluid extraction kit is configured to extract fluid from the fluid container using the syringe, The fluid container has a neck and a sealing member abutting the neck; The syringe comprises a plunger rod and a syringe, the syringe defining: an open proximal end through which the plunger rod is arranged; a distal end, the distal end defining a distal wall, the distal wall having a collar portion and an integrally formed needle seat, the needle cannula being arranged to pass through the needle seat and located within the lumen of the needle seat, the needle cannula and the needle seat being in fluid communication with the syringe, the collar portion having a corresponding syringe connecting member; The medicine bottle adapter comprises: a wall having a distally facing circular protrusion and a circular groove, a plurality of prongs extending distally from the wall, the circular groove being disposed within the circular protrusion, at least one of the plurality of prongs having a protruding inner flange configured to lock to the neck of the fluid container; a post defining a length, the post having a distal end projecting distally from the wall, the post having at least one entry extending at least partially along the length of the post; a lumen extending from the at least one inlet through the wall, the lumen defining an opening in the wall, the lumen being in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and A slender body extends proximally from the wall, the slender body defining a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity defining an inner wall and a proximal opening, the slender body having a connecting member longitudinally arranged along the outer wall of the slender body, the connecting member being configured to removably secure the vial adapter to the syringe connecting member.

15. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: The cavity also defines an inner tapered surface that forms an interference fit with a needle hub on the syringe.

16. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: The lumen and the longitudinal cavity define an interior passage through which the needle cannula of the syringe passes, the needle cannula being non-removably press-fitted into the needle hub of the syringe, the needle cannula not extending beyond the at least one inlet of the post.

17. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: When the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the at least one inlet of the post does not extend beyond the sealing member, and wherein the post pierces the sealing member when the sealing member is fully pressed against the wall to provide fluid communication from the fluid container through the at least one inlet and the tube cavity.

18. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: The fork-shaped portion is elastically deformed when the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the stud, and the fork-shaped portion removably locks the fluid container when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall.

19. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: When the sealing member of the fluid container is pressed against the stud, the fork deforms elastically and when the fluid container is fully pressed against the wall, the fork locks the fluid container permanently.

20. The fluid extraction kit of claim 14, wherein: The connection member of the elongated body includes external threads and the syringe connection member includes internal threads.

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