Closed Fluid Transfer Adapter With Membrane Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare providers are at risk of exposure to hazardous drugs during the transfer of chemotherapy drugs due to unintentional release into the atmosphere, which can occur when pressure differentials exist between the vial and surrounding atmosphere, leading to gas form or aerosolization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vial adapter and syringe adapter with moveable membrane housings and collet connections that form a sealed connection, ensuring fluid communication while preventing leakage and exposure, utilizing a collet connection mechanism to secure and seal the adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle is used to transfer solvent from one container to a sealed vial, then fluid transfer can be achieved, but drug release into the atmosphere can occur due to pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a membrane housing with a membrane as an intermediary component between the vial and syringe. This membrane acts as a barrier that allows fluid transfer while preventing drug release into the atmosphere, eliminating the need for needle penetration that causes aerosolization and exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a flexible membrane within the membrane housing that can deform to accommodate pressure differentials while maintaining a sealed connection. This thin film structure allows fluid transfer without creating openings that would lead to drug release and healthcare provider exposure.
2Productivity
If pressure differential exists between vial interior and atmosphere, then fluid transfer is driven, but drug aerosolization and release occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane in the membrane housing accommodates pressure differentials by deforming elastically, allowing fluid transfer to proceed efficiently while preventing the pressure changes from causing drug aerosolization and release into the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane housing creates a closed, controlled environment that isolates the drug from the atmosphere during fluid transfer. This sealed system prevents drug aerosolization even when pressure differentials exist between the vial interior and surrounding atmosphere.
3Ease of operation
If collet connection is positioned to receive membrane housing, then assembly is simplified, but sealed connection cannot be established
Solution Approach 1:
The collet connection is designed to move dynamically between a first position for receiving the membrane housing and a second position for establishing a sealed connection. This dynamic positioning allows the system to simplify assembly while ensuring reliable sealing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the collet connection for mechanical attachment and the membrane housing for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the collet providing easy assembly and the membrane providing reliable sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for closed transfer of fluids includes a vial adapter having a body with a first end and a second end, a vial connection extending from the second end of the body, with the vial connection configured to secure the body to a vial, a vial spike extending from the second end of the body, with the vial spike defining a passageway, and a collet connection extending from the first end of the body. The system further includes a syringe adapter including a housing having a first end and a second end, a membrane housing positioned within the housing, with the membrane housing moveable between a first position and a second position, a cannula positioned within the housing, and a syringe connection extending from the first end of the housing, with the syringe connection configured to be secured to a syringe barrel.